I can recall a priest that I knew who had something of a conversion to Holy Tradition. He studied in seminary in the late 70's, by which time priestly formation had become terribly malformed. Someone shared with him a tape of Scott Hahn, and through listening to Dr. Hahn's teaching, he began to recover a sense of the sacred. He explained to a friend of mine that he believed he was being recatechized in a way.
So while I find activities such as Fr. Fred's to be repugnant to orthodox sensibilties, for me there is still the hope that this could be a catechetical moment for this priest.
I also recall reading an issue of Latin Mass many years ago about a priest who went throught the overthrow of the 60's and 70's and was known for his progressive "outreach" to "hippiedom". Later in life, his views and practices became tempered, and he actually began to be a devout celebrant of the TLM. It was quite the conversion story. I believe he carried on his person a VERY large rosary as a sign of his need to do penance for his pervious sinfulness.
Remember, there is more joy in heaven when a sinner repents, than for the over 99 sheep that are already His. Even when the sheep is also a shepherd.
Gordo
