Bishops Regret Participation in White House Prayer Meeting
Two Catholic bishops have voiced regret after participating in a White House meeting that led to a publicly distributed photo of them praying with President Trump. Milwaukee Archbishop Jeffrey Grob issued a statement titled “A Public Apology,” noting he received numerous comments, some of them distraught, regarding the meeting on Thursday attended by him and 11 other bishops.
Grob explained the White House rapidly publicized the meeting with photos and video without their consent, less than two weeks before the midterm elections. He expressed deep sadness over the manipulation of a sacred event, stating, “I feel a heavy sadness, not only over the pain I caused but also for the fact that something so sacred to a group of religious leaders, prayer to our Heavenly Father, would be manipulated in that way.”
Des Moines Bishop William Joensen also released a statement, expressing that the White House took advantage of the bishops. He wrote, “I wish I had been more shrewd and less simple, like those who exploited our meeting for partisan political purpose.” Joensen added a desire for prudence and wisdom in future engagements with political leaders.
The White House declined to comment on whether the bishops’ consent was obtained for releasing the photos. White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers stated, “There has never been a greater president for Catholic Americans than President Trump, and his strong record proves it.”
The White House invited the bishops in September to discuss topics like immigration enforcement, religious worker visas, abortion, and federal tax credits for private education. According to Grob, the meeting was not an endorsement of the president, his policies, or his party. “We were told the meeting was to be a private discussion,” Grob mentioned.
Grob explained how the White House soon posted a video and photos of the prayer. He received messages expressing concern about inadvertently participating in a political event close to the election. Grob acknowledged some attendees felt harmed by the president’s policies.
“We should never have been put in that position by the White House,” Grob said. “Please know that I have heard these concerns, understand how I caused them, and I apologize for any damage my actions have done.”
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has diverse views on President Trump and his administration’s policies. Bishop Robert Barron from Minnesota participated in the president’s Religious Liberty Commission, largely composed of conservative Christians. Meanwhile, other bishops criticized President Trump’s strict immigration policies, arguing they contradict Catholic values.