When known and trusted people came to them repeatedly and pleaded and presented troubling evidence, they rejected these entreaties and claimed that those concerned individuals were overreacting and enemies.
For an average layman this might suffice, but for clerics in whose hands are the custody and care of God's souls and whose solemn duty it is to protect and defend God's Holy Sacraments, no!, no simple oh, he fooled me. The more that they say, the more the are cementing the notion that they are not fit to be trusted in such grave and solemn matters.
Let us continue to pray that they will come to their senses.