This might be wrong, but there is a story that Fr. P. is under the impression he is meant to be a bishop because of a private "prophecy" to that effect an acquaintance had some time back. Am only saying this because, if the story is true (not the prophecy, just the account of it), this might explain why he seems so full steam ahead at times about things - or everything! - and does not consider that he's possibly being misled, since "it's in the cards."