Well, not forever.
His authority, notwithstanding, it was his OBLIGATION under Canon Law to do what he did. Failing to do what one is obliged to do because of human respect is, plainly put, sinful. I would think he wasn't sitting at his desk deciding this action based upon how he would fare in a popularity contest.
It has been said that one of the greatest curses today is human respect the vice that makes one compromise to gain other peoples approval. One's opinion about whether Archbishop Burke "tarnished" himself in the eyes of others by performing his duty as the lawful shepherd of the Church, in the end when he is judged, may be a good thing - particularly if one recalls the 8th Beautitude.
Saint Burke isn't being martyred because his hand is forced by canon law. The same canon existed for the 100 plus years when nobody had yet gotten a hair and decided to annex what they had no hand in sowing.
The diocese needs the assets, either as padding to their net worth or to sell off to cover debt. Most likely the latter being that Burke refuses to agree that the parish won't be sold outright.
Stewardship of this parish was legally given in good faith to this community, now the "good" bishop wants it back and is causing spiritual harm to these people because of his financial troubles caused by the rot within the Church.