Michael Barber posts Crossan's thoughts on the Pope's MP but I found Crossan's piece on the CDF release of greater interest.

You have to read his brief thing in its entirety.

I disagree that insecurity is a factor in the issuance but his other remarks are provoking:

When leaders—be they Presidents or Popes—reach insecurity and uncertainty they often assert ascendancy and primacy.

[T]hat final sentence sounds to me like a warning, like an expectation of non-compliance: “If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them” (John 13:2).

That vocation is to lead by serving from below rather than by ruling from above.

In Another’s words: “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I tell you?’” (Luke 6:46).