I did not realise Davies was such a fan of Ratzinger back then. However, this article begs the question that, if those in authority regretted the consequences of Vatican II, they have since shown great impotence in their ability (or desire) to arrest the reforms. Such bleating can of course become an industry and is in fact part and parcel of the conservative approach which is nervous of both the past and of the future. Even strong traditionalists are inclined to believe that the new order is an unstoppable force and some kind of comfortable resignation is preferable to the long harsh winters of exile.
Yeah, pal, so was the LM and their dominance. So seems the ACLU, NEA and gubment schools. So seems last year's NFL division champs. All seem unstoppable - until they are stopped.
This will also be stopped, dead. The 'new order' is an abomination spoken of by Our Blessed Mother in apparitions. It's manifestly unholy. It's self-evidently self-destructive of the institutional church. It's a mockery of the Faith, and an enticement away from salvation. Believe me, its days are numbered.
I have read a lot of Davies' articles from the seventies and eighties, and in every case Davies took the most optimistic possible viewpoint. For several years after 1978 he was positive that JPII was going to solve all the problems in the Church. He was always a "glass half full" kind of guy, In fact, his articles only become heated and vehement when discussing those more pessimistic than himself, sedevacantists and such. But overall, one has to give him credit for always making the best of the situation, and whenever his optimism strayed too far into fantasy, he would eventually correct himself.