Joseph,
I think the answer to your question depends on your definition of "church."   If you see the church as being an organization, you are probably right.  But if you see "church" as being a living, breathing community of people struggling with their faith, having personality, living independent lives as they struggle in the real world, think I think there is a very strong need for the voice (concerns, hopes, fears, beliefs) of the laity to be heard at every level of the church. I think your last sentence pretty much answers your own question.  

So if you want "good" to come from church, and you define church as being the organizational leadership, then you've got your answer in the scandal.  If you see church as being that billion people who comprise the laity, then I think you have a very different answer.

I don't propose democracy here.  But I DO think structures need to be change to incorporate that voice of the laity.