The gentleman in question is apparently both a modernist and an apostate. The fact that he has an opinion is just that. Same as any of us. The trouble starts with the fact that he has decided his opinion should carry greater weight than two thousand years of history, by virtue of it being his opinion. One hopes that he recants, although time may be short, given his age. I’ll pray for him.
Is the history of mandatory priestly celibacy really two thousand years old? Or is it more recent than that?
It's essentially a matter of the church's prudential judgement and wisdom, and what Abp. Daly is saying is that he has concluded that his prudential judgement and wisdom in this matter is superior to that of the Church. So, no there's no apostasy involved, but maybe not as much humility as there should be, either.