Differentiating from others is not a core value of Catholicism. Contrarily, it’s claiming to be the default way of Christianity, which is expressed by the “catholic” in the name. Catholicism claims to continue by apostolic succession from Peter by an appointment of Jesus. So, if top Catholics realize that justification by faith alone is an idea from Jesus spread by the original apostles, it is fitting to accept that officially.

I think that the point of the original post is highly unrealistic, but I wrote this because it seems that you miss the point of Catholicism.