Undoubtedly the bishops (collectively) were envisioning benefits from redistribution of taxpayer wealth toward the "healthcare" complex to the church (which has in NYC, for example enormous contracts for social services with the City).
Back when the mandates were first being whined about, there was some quoting to the effect that obama had "broken his promises" on the issue. What promises? Were the bishops expecting that nationalized healthcare -- which, in Dolans eyes, "the Church has been advocating for nearly a hundred years" -- would support their charitable machinery? Talk about a Faustian bargain.
People don't seem to realize how despicably political the church in the US is.
Dolan is playing politics with Obama. Literally, wrestling with a pig -- there is no way to do that without getting dirty. He is playing politics because that's how the church has done it here his whole lifetime. He us a classic Kennedy Catholic -- democrat, pro-union, socialist. He thinks he can deal, but he is learning that the game for Catholics has changed. So he will either convert or comply. It could go either way. My personal feeling is that he's too accustomed to the trappings of earthly power to convert -- but I sense something about that wants to -- that is sincere. I believe he is sincere, but worldly, and that him a perfect stooge for the devil. He's playing by old rules, rules that could only result in the despicable situation we are in today. Just my opinion.
I believe his meeting with Obama is an effort to keep playing politics -- I mean that much is obvious. I figure (as posted elsewhere, with a bit of flourish) that he will remind the president that he cannot expect the same support of Catholics that got him elected the first time if holds the line on these mandates. Maybe he'll even remind Obama of whatever "promises" were made. Obama will listen, appease, and what he does: triangulate and betray. If he feigns a change of heart, Catholics will vote him in again. Everyone will feel warm fuzzies for everyone else and think the matter is settled. The media will flatter Dolan with the accolades he craves. Obama will look like he can be "reasoned with" and that he listens to the Church. Its an awful scenario but that's how I see it happening barring some people being knocked off their horses. I'm not betting on that.
Remember this: Obama's surest hope to retain power is the Catholic vote. And Timothy Dolan never had a problem with Obamacare -- only with the requirement that he be forced to provide contraceptives and perhaps abortions. He wants socialized medicine, whether you like it or not.
I pray that GOD intervenes one day... and I know that HE will.
LLS