Kag, the "cesspools of gossip and backstabbing" may be a bit hard for catholic communities to acknowledge but you do have a point. However, such behaviour was also common in early Christian communities. We are human beings. But wasn't that the point of the incarnation? To be faced with our own failings and acknowledge them and become merciful ourselves. Merciful gossips 😇 Then perhaps one day,  just merciful.

You are correct though, JP II and Benny wrecked that spiritual progress for many.