Without an apostolically authorized hierarchy everyone has to make his own mind up about these questions.
Alexander VI led an immoral life, had several illegitimate children and gave his daughter an annulment. Shortly after, Leo X put the church in debt and gave indulgences for "donations". Many criticized him, including a certain monk in Germany.
These popes were scandals to the Catholic world, yet they remained the heads of the church, and those who separated from them ceased to be Catholic.
So how can you come to the definitive conclusion there is no hierarchy?