Article doesn't mention the Grinich that processed this case to the underemployed curia for this laicization process.
The local bishop?  Especially in an area where the RCC is small.
That an 89 year old would be willing to trudge around should be praised, not punished.
Probably only 89 yr old deacon in the world still shuffling around.
At 89, that he would be willing to do things priests will avoid, is inexplicable!
The rationalization of the deacons who support the manmade law is typical of RC mindset, sadly.
The shallow reasoning they spouted, "...to understand his ministerial obligations. Often, he said, "it is not fair to throw her into something like that." There is an attempt to sound like a deacon has a heavy work load. Not!  Many are simply ceremonial.  Love to dress up but don't see them after they pontificate at one mass.
Dispensations are the candy of pontiffs throughout history, doling them out to favorites.
It's all a subjective game.