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While the origin of the letter remains to be determined (and the bets are that such determination will NEVER come to pass,) a few observations.

First, the sea-change has originated in Rome, albeit in the typical fashion (e.g., ssslllloooooowwwwwlllllyyyyy.) Thus, it is clear to dissidents that their days are numbered. With their future prospects now limited, it's not too surprising that some will take action to protect what they already have.

Secondly, it should be remembered that Ordination does not confer either literacy nor elegant writing style--further, regardless of the capabilities of the individual who dictated the letter, the transcriptionist could be a product of PublicScrewls...

Third, we are all aware of the 'fringe' types who inhabit every movement--the NRA member who insists on dressing in camo even at church; the homosexual who insists on mincing and pushing the envelope at formal social occasions, etc., etc. This behavior is also manifested in ill-considered letter writing or phone calls. Neither Ordination nor religious vows precludes such activity.

As to "cui bono?"--who benefits?--the FIRST question is whether the letter was INTENDED to benefit someone/group beyond the prima-facie. If the intention was simply to quash further investigation, suspensions, and 'retirements,' then there's no Machiavelli present, except through accident.

If on the other hand, someone decided to make the homosexual priest community a pariah, this letter is a good way to do it. Thus, someone with an axe to grind against the homosexual priests would be a potential suspect. It's also possible that the Bishop, faced with a very difficult situation, may have decided to ignite a fire--but I think that Bp. Adamec does not have 'the right stuff' for this sort of action.

We are thus faced with two possibilities that are realistic: an enemy of the group of priests, or the priests themselves.

Given that Poly has testimony from a reliable source that the priests 1) had a meeting to discuss their position; and 2) ideas similar to those expressed in the letter were part of the discussion, it is fair to conclude (without MORAL CERTAINTY) that the "camo-wearer" in the group decided to throw the first grenade. This demonstrates that prudence is ALSO not a fruit of Ordination.

No arguments with your post 274 at all, but as I've been thinking about it this morning, the sea-change didn't start until Bernardin died. Not even in Rome. There were rumblings, but nothing major and nothing on liturgy was touched.

Now, all of a sudden, the medium-sized archdioceses, don't have cardinals, but very orthodox bishops. All sorts of problems are being cleaned up. The Vatican has released one document after another re-emphasizing orthodoxy. Some of the most liberal of the cardinals - but not all - have stopped toeing the dissident line. In the US, it has something to do with Bernardin dying. Don't ask me what, but he must have had some huge hold on others in the hierarchy.

The dissents are seeing the handwriting on the wall. There's no doubt of that. Where this is going to get sticky is in the next few years as the Mass returns, partially at least, to old form. It has nothing to do with this thread, but I've heard enough comments to know that this is going to be a fight.

It's intriguing to watch, that's for sure. At least Adamec removed the molesters. That's something.