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As I said, it is a little complicated sociologically and intellectually. The basic fuzzy concept fulfils a couple of delusional fantasies. One is that personal sinful conduct doesn't really matter. If Catholicism just becomes socialism or some other type of secular humanist liberalism (with a little Jesus symbolism thrown in for dramatic effect), then you don't need to worry about your sins, right? People can then do whatever they want sexually. What's REALLY important, according to this point of view, is solving global poverty (or getting Gore elected depending on the trendy emphasis currently fashionable). It also has something to do with intellectual pride because the theory itself (Secularization of Christianity)is suited for a certain "new class" elite type who wants to be accepted in all the right circles, especially elite liberal or left-wing academic ones. The "Death of God" school of theology back in the 1960s was a classic example. By the time people had finished reading Bultmann, Bishop Robinson, Altizer, and all the various neo-Freudianisms, they would be fairly smug and condescending armchair liberal lotus eaters. You can still find these types in Divinty Schools, certain seminaries, and some Catholic universities.

It also has something to do with intellectual pride

I personally think it has a lot to do with pride - particularly that worst of all pride of seeing yourself as smarter and more important than your maker - the same sin as that committed by you-know-who.

You can still find these types in Divinty Schools, certain seminaries, and some Catholic universities.

But what I still don't understand is, why are these types allowed to be in certain seminaries and Catholic universities?