Thing is---child abuse is not a liberal or conservative issue.  While I do think there is a double standard for the Church when it comes to abuse, and that is unfair, nevertheless post 2002 there is no excuse for any bishop who fails to report abuse or covers it up. 

Pope Benedict might have taken less of a hammering if he simply held bishops accountable and removed bishops who covered up abuse or didn't report it.  Benedict was either unwilling to do so or simply didn't understand that holding bishops accountable was what people wanted.  Patron saints and Masses of Reparation are all well and good---but they are not substantive action.  Changing Canon Law is all well and good, but that is not a substantive action.  None of those things put bishops on notice.  They have to be held accountable.  Popes seem unwilling to do this or don't get this.