Fr. Z finds a theme:

A common element in Rome’s conflict with the PCA and the SSPX are their illicitly consecrated, excommunicated bishops.  More importanly, however, they are also deeply mired in the matter of religious liberty in one way or another.  Simply put, in China the Party doesn’t want people to have religious liberty in the way the Church says they should.  On the other hand, the SSPX doesn’t want people to have religious freedom in the way the Church says they should.  Hey wait!  Isn’t that pretty similar?  The SSPX has always been a sharp critic of the Council’s document on religious liberty.  This is the true sticking point.   The liturgical question, as important as that is, and the matter of bishops etc., is all a side show easily resolved with the stroke of a pen.  Religious liberty is the key.

Just as in the PCA in China there are those who will never budge and will make it hard for others to be in harmony with Rome, so too there are those in the SSPX who will dig in their heals no matter what and ruin the hopes of many for concrete changes in their status. 

Pope Benedict XVI has been distancing himself from a attitude of appeasement and concession when negotiating over issues of unity with Rome and religious liberty.   When after the illicit consecrations in China the the Holy See didn’t simply say "Oh stop pretty pleeeeezzzzze…." The PRC pretty quickly backed away from the PCA, telling them not to consecrate anyone not having Rome’s approval.   

Pope Benedict is more than likely ready to grant all sorts of things liturgical to the SSPX.  It hasn’t happened yet, but don’t you just know he wants to?  However, when it comes to the theological dimension of the conflict, the SSPX would do better to come to the table and learn rather than demand.  Unless of course their power players are now confortable with their hobby Church and don’t want to submit.  Non serviam and all that… we’ll see.