I read the book, and though the arguments presented were good, the book itself was poorly edited and conceived.
Unfortunately with priests with whom I've discussed this book, the common concern was that the book belittles the first and primary hurdle for any priest, especially our retired priests here. These priests need to know exactly how they are going to make a living if they cut their ties to Rome, and what exactly it means in real terms to be suspended a divinis from the Church by a validly ordained bishop of the Church.
Priests here for a long time never contributed to social security, so in their retirement the only income they have is their diocesan pension, and their only healthcare is their diocesan health plan.
I think they need to do a revised edition of the book where these issues are realistically addressed right up front.
The book seems to belittle these concerns, which IMO has kept many priests from responding to the message of the book itself.
"These priests need to know exactly how they are going to make a living if they cut their ties to Rome, ..."
Yep. For most of them, it's a JOB. So very sad.
To paraphrase a "singer" named after the Blessed Mother;
I'm a material priest,
in a material world.
This recalls what we discussed a couple days ago about priests like Fr. Zigrang and the ones in the book, and even a priest like Fr. Haley of Arlington. They chose to renounce all comfort and financial security. They have made the heroic sacrifice for the sakes of the Catholic faith.
Personally I believe that a bigger hurdle than the financial one, although I agree with you that is a major issue, is the persecution and slander that you know you will suffer. The priest considering making the jump knows for sure that he will be vilified for his choice.
To me this is a sign that it is the right choice. We know with certainty that following Christ means a life of poverty and persecution. If we are rich and comfortable, then almost by definition we cannot be truly following the example of Christ. If everyone praises us, then we cannot really be acting Christ-like.
This message will reverberate with the right kind of priest. The Jesuit seminary in Douai that was sending priests into Elizabethan England had nothing to offer these men except the certainty of eventual arrest and torture and execution. Yet they found many who were willing to accept this bargain.
Priests who wish to remain loyal to the traditional Catholic faith today realize that they must sacrifice financial security, position and prestige, but if they knew that they also had to sacrifice their lives, then the right kind of priest would respond even more eagerly.