They are indeed quite baffling to a great extent.  But my impression is that it is one more expression of a certain generation of the Church's upper caste (meaning many bishops) discrimination against women that fueled +Pierre's statements.  He also demonstrated a woefully poor understanding of US politics, a problem endemic to the Vatican and its operatives.  The good news: the archbishop's comments have no real impact on the US Church, so very, very few even care about what he said, and it will be quickly forgotten by most who have paid some attention to it.  Reminds me of that line from "Shawshank Redemption," when the warden says "The man just vanishes like a f*rt in the wind!"  So too will +Pierre's commentary on HRC.  Deservedly so.