One simple distinction  that I would make.  The laity is the church.  The clerics are the frail and often disturbed leadership.  Yes, the damage from the abuse scandal is not reparable by this type of authoritarian leadership.  It is time for the laity to assume their proper roll and realize that it is the priesthood of Baptism that is Apostolic.  It only takes 2 and one will lead.  This is true of every important sacrament.  The Eucharist was offered in the homes of the early Christians way before we had the man made sacrament of Orders.  The leadership of out Church are indeed authoritarians and they have forgotten what it means to be authoritative leaders.  When they talk abut their "authority," they are speaking hollow words that often are negative and have nothing to do with love of God and Neighbor. Clericalism as now practiced is irreparable and there is a need for the laity to make repairs, not the Pope or Bishops.  Sadly, They have made themselves irrelevant.