My understanding is that there is political infighting going on in the upper echelons of the church. This particular story is about two LA Church leaders, but I think you can take this fight writ large in the church: http://news.yahoo.com/mahony-defends-legacy-church-abuse-blo... The way Ratzinger handled the abuse scandal, the leak of his butler, the tug-of-war between reformers and fundamentalists are revealing serious cracks inside the leadership. I've heard cardinals say they are comfortable with a much smaller religious body if it means being true to doctrine. Even if that means giving up that 1 billion number they seem to harp on. I'm not for sure saying that's why he resigned, but his general weakness as an administrator probably contributed to it as well.