However effective or ineffective they may be the bishops have a responsibility to speak out in matters of morals facing their flock and its civil government. In fact, this is one of the ways in which they work to save souls.
This idea dates back to at least the 5th century when Pope Gelasius I proposed that the Church has two swords to wield, one with regard to the spiritual order and the other in regard to the temporal order when it comes to moral matters.
The history in the intervening 1500 years has been fascinating.
“...the bishops have a responsibility to speak out in matters of morals facing their flock and its civil government. In fact, this is one of the ways in which they work to save souls.”
Speaking out in matters of morals is one matter. Endorsing legislation on healthcare, global warming and other matters is a few bridges too far imo. I don’t see why they can’t speak out on life, the elderly, poverty, the sick, without reaching into the machinations of government.
Further, the Church has been equivocating government cures on health, poverty, illegal immigration, etc., which can be a slippery slope into the liberation theology which tainted the Church.
Espcially when so many of the flock are lost on more central issues, such as the Eucharist and salvation.