This is a continuation of the Regime of Rembert.
You recall that a week after their 'celibacy' letter came out, another letter was issued calling for a "priests' Union."
There are more than a few radicals within the priesthood in Milwaukee, trained and ordained under the watch of Rembert Weakland, OSB.
Without a tiresome recitation of Rembert's "accomplishments," you need mostly to know that Weakland was directly and indirectly opposed to most ANY initiative or directive from Rome over the past 15 years. He met regularly w/Card. Martini SJ; he was a very close associate of Bugsy Bugnini; and his personal problem, a 'grave disorder,' was manifest in his anti-nomianism, outright disobedience, and subtle distortions of the truth, not to mention his vicious destruction 9r attempted destruction of anyone who got in his way, locally and nationally.
In effect, seminarians and priests of this Archdiocese (as well as many of the Faithful) were led to believe that Milwaukee was the "leader" and Rome was the "follower," (although Milwaukee often followed Chicago, Buffalo, and Albany.)
The letters and organizing efforts now in play simply represent a continuation, except now the Archbishop is not a co-conspirator (the Bishop, Sklba, is still happy to continue on the road away from Rome.)
They expect exactly what they've been led to expect these past 20 years: independence from the Roman Catholic Church's discipline, doctrine, and dogma.
Second, it sickens me that this stuff is now done via the media... these "priest groups" seem to have a direct pipeline to all the newspapers and release these statements or letters to the media at the same time they give it to the bishop - the letter written asking Cardinal Law to step down was released to media before the Cardinal ever saw it himself.
Shades of the way Humanae Vitae was treated by the theologians... they made their statements (and took out a full page ad in the NYTimes) denouncing it.
Interesting to wonder if at one time Weakland was a holy priest dedicated to helping others throught that narrow gate? In other words, did he enter religious life looking at that "grave disorder" as a cross or as a "gift?"
Then they should take it and go! Go to the American Catholic Church where priests may marry. Why must they continue to insist, along with the feminists, that the church adjust its doctrine to suit their peevish whims!