I am actually glad that you brought up Canon 212 because it, in its entirety, makes the Catholic cans and is counter to the point you are trying to make:
Canon 212
1. The Christian faithful, conscious of their own responsibility, are bound by Christian obedience to follow what the sacred pastors, as representatives of Christ, declare as teachers of the faith or determine as leaders of the Church.
2. The Christian faithful are free to make known their needs, especially spiritual ones, and their desires to the pastors of the Church.
3. In accord with the knowledge, competence and preeminence which they possess, they have the right and even at times a duty to manifest to the sacred pastors their opinion on matters which pertain to the good of the Church, and they have a right to make their opinion known to the other Christian faithful, with due regard for the integrity of faith and morals and reverence toward their pastors, and with consideration of the common good and dignity of persons.
correction; Catholic cans should say Catholic “case” (damned autocorrect)
Catholics are so "free" they can leave the Church if they aren't willing to follow the demands of the Church. As long as they remember the first thing they were taught: there is no salvation outside the Catholic Church.
"Relax said the nightman, we are programmed to receive. You can check out anytime you want, but you can never leave.." Hotel Catholicfornia.