Do you really think so, NYer? I am not so sure ... some decisions by the Holy Father make more sense if you assume he is not aware of the depth of the problems here.
I’m not sure he’s entirely aware of teh problems, and I’m not sure who’s advising him. He’s made a couple of bad appointments (Neiderauer, for example) and some rather dubious ones (such as Wuerl). And I don’t think he expected the level of outright defiance he’s getting from the bishops on the Motu Proprio.
I wish he’d come here and celebrate a Tridentine Rite mass! Now THAT would be a signal...