Moral Authority

On questions of faith and morals, the Bishops need not be listened to, the argument goes, because, after the child abuse scandal (or name your example), the Church has lost its "moral authority."  Assuming, for sake of argument, a working definition of "moral authority" is "suasion," that is, the ability to influence or persuade another, how does the "no moral authority" argument fare?  Not well when you dig into it.  The underlying premise of the "no moral authority" argument assumes the applicability of the old adage, Do as I say, not as I do.  But the moral authority of the Church, the Truth it proclaims, draws its power not from human conduct or example but from the Word itself.   In denying the reality of the Truth, we take the stage as Pilate does this Holy Week:  "What is truth?" (Jn.18-38)