You over-simplify what you characterize as the bad side of clericalism (allowing the abuse culture to exist unchecked) and with what you term the good side of clericalism (faithfulness to the teachings of the church).  But it is not that clear of a line of demarcation.  

I am sure ( or at least I sure hope) that many good priests struggled with what to do once confronted with the hard evidence of abuse by their peers, and the inherent conflict of reporting to their superiors, only to have the superiors sweep it under the rug, and having previously given  obedience to those superiors.  In their minds they were being faithful to the teachings of the church.  

The problem inherent in a top down system is that there is no accountability for those at the top, and when those at the top abuse and misuse their authority, a crisis can and does occur.

Those at the top of the pyramid are fallible men, no different than you or I.  And quite frankly, they may believe they ARE being faithful.