There should be no cover up by any authority in the Church. As "men" of God, they must and should be subjected to the court of law if not more severely dealt with. People come to God through Christ not priest. It is better for the sheep without an immediate shepherd rather than putting a wolf among the sheep.
These sexual offenders must be expelled from priesthood and must be prosecuted by the civil law, lest they taint the image of Christ.
Christ has such a deep hatred and anger towards the acts of people who mislead the little ones (children) that he said : "If anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea." ~Matthew 18:6
If a shepherd sees a wolf among his sheep, wouldn't he drive the wolf away? and keep the wolf away?
The Catholic Church headed by the pope (shepherd) must not tolerate the presence of wolves among the sheep! especially the One that the pope served has such a deep disgust for sin against the little ones!
Joshua