Bishops say White House exploited prayer with Trump before election

Two Catholic bishops say they regret taking part in a White House meeting that ended with them praying alongside President Donald Trump, accusing the administration of turning a private moment into a political photo opportunity less than two weeks before the Nov. 3 midterm elections.

Milwaukee Archbishop Jeffrey Grob and Des Moines Bishop William Joensen were among 12 bishops who met White House officials Thursday. The White House soon published photos and video of their prayer with Trump. Grob said the participants had not consented to the release and were not told a video was being recorded.

“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,” Grob wrote Sunday in a statement titled “A Public Apology.”

Grob said the bishops expected a private discussion about issues including immigration enforcement, religious-worker visas and human dignity, with a possible chance to pray privately with the president. The Guardian reported that Grob said the Heritage Foundation arranged the meeting. According to his account, the bishops spent about 90 minutes with domestic policy staff before being ushered into the Oval Office, given commemorative tokens and directed to stand behind Trump’s desk to pray.

Joensen said officials connected to the White House Faith Office invited him, The Guardian reported. He said the proposed agenda also included fertility treatment incentives, abortion-inducing drugs and tax credits for private schools. CBS News reported that the invitation was extended in September.

“The meeting was in no way an endorsement of the president, his policies, or his party,” Grob wrote. He said he heard from people concerned that he had inadvertently joined a political event, as well as others who felt wounded by the effects of Trump’s policies on their families.

“We should never have been put in that position by the White House,” Grob wrote. “I did not go without reservations. I wish I had heeded them.” He apologized for any damage his actions had caused.

Joensen said the bishops knew the meeting was close to an election but had not intended to endorse a candidate or party. He also wrote that “many things tied to this present Administration” were “blatantly at odds with our Catholic faith.”

“I wish I had been more shrewd and less simple, like those who exploited our meeting for partisan political purposes,” Joensen wrote. He said he remained willing to engage with and pray for political leaders.

Asked by CBS News whether the bishops had consented to publication of the images and video, the White House press office did not answer. Spokesperson Taylor Rogers instead said, “There has never been a greater president for Catholic Americans than President Trump, and his strong record proves it.”

The Guardian reported that Denver Archbishop James Golka, who also attended, said he understood why people viewed the video as an endorsement but that it was “never my intention.” He added: “I’m heartbroken that people are hurt, and that there are people intentionally using this moment to sow disunity.”