Dr., thank you for posting this. I agree that the timing is very interesting, as well as intriguing. This humble freeper still hopes and prays for an ordinariate or some such for the SSPX.
Interestingly, there was a rumor going around all the conspiracy websites earlier this summer about the Vatican Recalling all bishops to Rome by October 2011.
I wonder if there is any validity to the basic claims of this rumor. (Despite the lunatic ravings on those conspiracy sites, it has nothing to do with any comet.)
I called our chancery last week to schedule an appointment with our new bishop and they said his schedule is really backed up - because he has to go to Rome this fall.