It's no longer possible to say that these men are trying to preserve the institution.  They are trying to save their own skins by dragging this out until they die.  If the Pope cared at all about the entire issue, he would simply demand that all those involved in the cover-up resign any position that they hold -- and then enforce that demand.  The institution would then be bereft of so-called leadership and would need to start from scratch -- perhaps actually paying attention to the Holy Spirit.