It's all the human drive toward rationalization. Instead of saying "I goofed. I am a sinner, and I have repented (or need to repent)," he tries to cast it in the best light possible, hoping that God sees it that way too. I don't think God wears those same rose-colored glasses.
In Christian teaching isn't such conduct by its nature the abuse of another person made in the image of God, whether consensual or not?
Either abuse of another of God's children, or abuse of power, or abuse of one of God's gifts to man, namely the gift of sexual expression of love between a man and a woman who are married to each other. Any way you slice it, it appears to be something which separates the bishop from God, not brings him closer. In my book, that's sin. And he needs to repent and make the proper reparations.
You are right. I hope Weakland replaces his rationalizations with the 'ABC's' of true repentence; Acknowledgment, Brokenness, and Confession, and may he find the grace, mercy and forgiveness of God;
1 Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your unfailing love;
according to your great compassion
blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash away all my iniquity
and cleanse me from my sin.
3 For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is always before me.
4 Against you, you only, have I sinned
and done what is evil in your sight,
so that you are proved right when you speak
and justified when you judge.
5 Surely I was sinful at birth,
sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
6 Surely you desire truth in the inner parts [1] ;
you teach [2] me wisdom in the inmost place.
7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
8 Let me hear joy and gladness;
let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
9 Hide your face from my sins
and blot out all my iniquity.
10 Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11 Do not cast me from your presence
or take your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
and sinners will turn back to you.
14 Save me from bloodguilt, O God,
the God who saves me,
and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.
15 O Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth will declare your praise.
16 You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;
you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
17 The sacrifices of God are [3] a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart,
O God, you will not despise.
Cordially,