But liberals tend to think that any exercise of authority that they do not like is by definition an abuse.  Liberals only like authority when the person in authority makes decisions they like and agree with.  

The basis of the "authority" (if that is what you want to call it) in the Church is not knowledge, elitist academic credentials, or even ability, but calling.  The bishops authority comes through their ordination, not their academic credentials. This goes for priests and deacons as well.  The Church does not work like the world works.