ScottG, I have been posting since the NCR Cafe opened 10 years ago. I apologize. I am too tired to explain my perspective on the Church in all facets and areas right now. This is not a brand new set of thoughts you raise.

The thread started as a response to someone calling for the resignation of the pope over supposed missteps on the way to not yet solving a 2000-year-old problem in four years. You said  we should all be punished with an uber guy so we will all leave. That's what I responded to. I don't want another uber guy, and I am at a point in my life where I'm not at all likely to leave over any mere pope. I have been given and have developed a sacramental spirituality that brings me closer to God. I don't want anyone to be hurt for the sake of your theoretical exodus. 

As to whether I believe someone has to be Catholic to be Christian, no, I don't. I am a V2 Catholic, raised pre-V2, and not a B16 whippersnapper.