There is another element besides your observations. The position that the priest or minister must be free from sin before he can administer sacrament.( I’m aware that the Donatist position was condemned.)However the question arises what if serious sins are prevalent among the priest and bishops FOR CENTURIES? In short an apostasy of the Church leadership. God can withdraw from such a people.
“The position that the priest or minister must be free from sin before he can administer sacrament.”
This is false. The sacraments are efficacious even if the priest is sinner. Every priest is a sinner. Every person within the church is a filthy sinner in need of Christ and redemption.
“However the question arises what if serious sins are prevalent among the priest and bishops FOR CENTURIES?”
Better question - has there ever been a time when sins were not prevelent among the priests and bishops
“God can withdraw from such a people.”
Then what do you make of this?
I see what you are saying - however, I don’t see it that pastors are immune from sin and that this argument would apply only to the Catholic church. What do you think Jesus would think of today, the folks who, in his name, claim that homosexual actions are laudable acts? Who encourage young women to abort their children?
Would you stand back and say that these churches have lost their way and that any sincere Christian has an obligation to leave these churches?