One could argue that victims receive a life long sentence so why shouldn't the perps receive longer sentences?  And what sort of punishment should the cover up bishops, and higher ups receive? They fell under the spell of the lawyers and the insurance agents who panicked at least one arch bishop in a certain victorian diocese. In another diocese catholic principals were called to a conference and addressed in such a way that left no doubt about the potential for financial loss to the diocese and the religious orders - no word about the victims in terms of pastoral care simply the protocols for the future to protect the church's wealth.