Steve, it is self-contradictory, I suppose. The reality was that dioceses are independent - and for the most part, I like it that way. But in the area of child sexual abuse, there were several bishops whose conduct was abhorrent, a long time ago. And although I prefer decentralization, I see there was a need to intervene nonetheless. SOMEBODY needed to kick butt. And if the bishop reigns supreme in his own diocese, who's gonna kick his ass when he needs it?
I don't know how things operate in law enforcement agencies where you live. In the U.S., local police agencies handle local crimes. The FBI does not deal with sex offenses unless they involve interstate trafficking.

In the Catholic Church until Ratzinger took over supervision of child abuse cases in 2001, local dioceses had authority over all local matters.

What's the difference?

-Joe Offer-