It looks like we really ought to see the whole letter along with its purported translation (the translation might actually be OK but AP is spinning it). There are several Freepers versed in Latin. It might turn out that Ratzinger was merely saying that this wouldn’t be the appropriate move to take care of the risk. Purportedly, a priest can be de-ministered without being de-frocked and the former was what was needed. If I follow the discussion here correctly.
Interesting.
Plausible.
However . . . imho, the Vatican has historically erred far to the side of covering it’s rear vs standing tall on Godly values.