This seems a classic example of the two sets of rules in the Church; one for the elites, the other for the rest.
Diocese of Maryland spokeswoman...said [previous drug and alcohol] charges were disclosed to search committee members during a vetting process as the diocese searched for a new bishop. However, the information was not shared with those people — clergy and lay church members — who voted among four finalists. Following a complaint made last week, national church leaders decided to open an investigation to determine whether Cook violated church law in Palermo’s death.The Church needs to investigate whether or not someone charged with manslaughter has violated church law? I think that's a little garbled. It might mean the Church needs to investigate whether or not church law was violated in being less than transparent in the election process for suffragan bishop. Either that, or some quiet deal was offered to the bishop that she seek treatment for alcohol and marijuana abuse in return for it not being a factor in her election prospects. If so, it appears that wasn't successful.