It implies that the Roman Catholic church didn't see the crime as something very wrong, something which needed to be stopped as an imperative, but rather more like a lapse of judgement, something that might go away with some low-level admonishment and a new start.  It shows a reckless regard for the safety of children and a complete disregard for the law.

Martin, I don't see how you can accuse the Church of not taking the problem of child abuse seriously when the the local bishops went to such lengths to stop the issue going public. They were terrified of the abuse and knew quite well what a stain it would be on the reputation of the Church, because it was such a dreadful thing.
I agree that certain high level clerics did show a reckless disregard for the safety of children by putting the reputation of the Church above that of the shattered lives of abused children.
In the past few years great strides have been made within the Church to try and make sure the problem doesn't occure again.
Child protection measures have been issued in all parishes throughout Scotland, England and Wales. In Ireland the Vatican appointed a high level commission who are, at this moment, going through the Church in Ireland with a fine tooth comb.
I have lost count of the number of times the Pope has expressed great sorrow and has promised to do do everything in his power to put an end to it. The Archbishop of Westminster has also said on several occasions how ashamed he is of priests who can do such terrible things to children.
The Church is confronting the issue with great determination.