Catholic archbishops, like other religious leaders, don’t have direct power in the American court system, but the Catholic Church has significant influence in legal and political matters for several reasons:

1. Legal Advocacy & Amicus Briefs – Catholic organizations, such as the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), frequently file legal briefs on key court cases, particularly those involving religious freedom, abortion, education, and social issues.

2. Political Influence – The Catholic Church has strong lobbying efforts at both state and federal levels. Many politicians, judges, and legal professionals are Catholic or influenced by Catholic social teachings.

3. Religious Liberty Cases – Catholic institutions often challenge laws they see as infringing on religious freedom. Recent Supreme Court cases have ruled in favor of Catholic organizations regarding school funding, contraception mandates, and LGBTQ+ rights vs. religious rights.

4. Historical Institutional Presence – The Catholic Church runs many hospitals, schools, and charities, making it a major stakeholder in legal matters involving healthcare, education, and social services.

5. Judicial Appointments – A significant number of Supreme Court justices in recent history have been Catholic, including those who have shaped major decisions on abortion, religious rights, and social policy.

While Catholic archbishops themselves don’t wield direct power in courts, the Church’s legal advocacy, institutional presence, and historical influence give it considerable sway in American legal and political spheres.