text: Some priests have told me that if they speak up (about this and other issues), they will lose their job.  While I understand this from a human perspective, I have some serious problems with this approach.  
  These are men who repeatedly preach to congregants about being "faithful to the Truth".  This means being true to one's conscience, not to one's employer, or to one's hierarchical superiors.   I have heard countless times sermons about not denying Christ before others.  Well, what else is the continuing cover-up of child abuse, other than a denial of Christ and what He taught?  
  I agree with you.  There is spiritual rot, and that is a big reason why so many have left the church.  Like with any kind of rot that begins on the inside, it may take a good while for it to be seen, but if that rot is not excised and steps are not taken to prevent its formation for the future, then the institutional Catholic Church will have no real future.