They're not "executives". They're shepherds who are the successors of the Apostles. That's the source of their "respect". Their mission is to preach the Gospel and guard its integrity.
Since Apostolic times, however, the Church has had to live with and deal with Caesar as a part of its day-to-day existence. Temporal matters, IOW. A prudential judgment on the best way to do this does not form part of the deposit of faith and often varies from bishop to bishop.
When they speak people listen.
When they speak about the Gospel and exercise their apostolic authority, Catholics should listen. Many don't.
When they speak dangerous foolishness the Church should take the heat.
No, the bishop takes the heat. He is the one who decided to climb into bed with Caesar. He made a personal prudential judgment and judged badly.
In any event, The Church is always "taking the heat" from someone for something. Temporal and spiritual.
Every time the Church has meddled in temporal matters is has been a disaster. Maybe God is trying to tell them something.