I think I have found the reason that many leaders in the Catholic church have softened their stance on abortion... They want to cosy up to liberals. The only way to do that is to back their agenda to the hilt. The clergy Trading immigrant rights for shutting up on abortion to the liberals may just be the ticket for them to get the libs to love them.
(The clergy shuts up on abortion , the dems deliver amnesty)
Their orders come from the Vatican
They have no independence in such matters