“This has been stewing for decades and now they suddenly notice?”
Exactly. I bet the bishops are really shocked, SHOCKED I say.
“to try to reshape the relationship in dialogue together.”
Ah, I think I see the wispy lash of the light pastoral touch being prepared. Look out all you pro-abort Catholics!!
Freegards
The Bishops can, and must, legitimately say, "You can't vote to legalize abortion, you can't vote to maintain legalized abortion, you can't vote to fund abortion" -- because any of that would make you a direct material accomplice in an abominable sin.
But the USCCB position was, "We favor Comprehensive health reform (in a context which meant "The Democratic Party's vision thereof, whatever that turns out to be"), (insert layers of ecclesiatical bafflegab about the poor, omitting in every instance any mention of "subsidiarity," which as expressed by the U.S. Constitution, would have a lot to do with "enumerated powers" and the Ninth and Tenth Amendments) and if you can get it with conscience protection and without abortion funding yada yada, it'll be just the jim-dandy Kingdom of God!"
Always remember that an Apostolic Hierarchy is not the same as a clerical bureaucracy.
And do not confuse Apostolic Authority with this madcap, makeshift, mitred political ****$#!+.