Ann,
Confusing/contradictory is a term that applies to how politics runs in the hierarchy.  And  POLITICS is involved.    And we're just talking about the USCCB.  There's even more
hair-splitting when it comes to conclaves.

Every one of these 'big-name' cardinals/archbishops has his supporters who either silently or verbally support the 'big name'.  The name of the game is to win over more bishops to your side than the other 'big name.'

Of course, none of the cardinals and arch/bishops care a pin about what the laity, especially women, think about all of this.  They still think that women should have 7-10 children in the family because women shouldn't have a voice in the matter.