How can the Church defend pedophile priests?

Enraged by a recent report of the Archiocese of Philadelphia's cover-up of child sex abuse crimes committed by some of its priests, an assiduous reader writes:
I am getting so tired of this constant parade of kiddy-diddling priests. I had hoped that the publicity in the past decades would force the Pope to forcibly address this. But the archbishops and others are still covering and protecting these priests who think it is open season. The papers are full of the church fighting contraception but IMHO they seem to be doing very little about this disgusting behavior. How can you, as a Catholic, defend not just the crimes but the Church's failure to do anything about them?

Walt's reply:
You are quite right. Both the abuse and the denials and cover-ups are a source of shame and disgust to traditional Catholics and the many holy priests who keep their vows.

A website published by a "sede vacantist" -- one who says that the post-Conciliar popes are illegitimate, thus not popes at all -- lays the blame right at the feet of the Holy Father, who he calls "the Pedophile Pope", suggesting that Pope Benedict protects the bishops who protect the priests who commit these sins that cry out to Heaven.

This was foretold by Our Lady of Fatima, and corresponds with the words of Apocalypse 12:3-4:
And there was seen another sign in heaven: and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads, and ten horns: and on his heads seven diadems:
And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and cast them to the earth...
The dragon is Satan and the stars of Heaven are the bishops and priests.

Many Catholics, including yr obdt svt, believe that the Church needs to be cleansed. Pope Paul VI said "The smoke Satan has entered the Church" and he should know because he was one of those who opened the windows. But how the Church will be reformed, only God knows. All the faithful can do is pray is pray for the triumph of Our Lady's Immaculate Heart.

Further reading from Walt's previous posts: "Benedict XVI admits Church's problems come 'from within'"; "Another fallen star".

Remember, if you have questions or comments or just want to vent, you're welcome to e-mail Walt [and Ed. Ed.]