Bishops Regret White House Meeting With Trump, Citing Political Use

Two Catholic bishops have expressed regret regarding a White House meeting where they prayed with President Donald Trump, citing concerns that the event was politically manipulated by the administration.

Milwaukee Archbishop Jeffrey Grob stated in a public apology on Sunday that he and 11 other bishops attended a meeting at the White House on Thursday. He noted that the White House swiftly publicized photos and a video of the meeting without the participants' consent, occurring less than two weeks before the midterm elections.

"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 said. He added that he had received numerous distressed comments and questions about the meeting.

The bishop of Des Moines, Iowa, William Joensen, also issued a statement conveying that he felt the White House had taken advantage of the bishops. "I wish I had been more shrewd and less simple, like those who exploited our meeting for partisan political purpose," he wrote.

The White House invitation, extended in September, was for a discussion on issues including immigration enforcement, religious worker visas, abortion, and the use of federal tax credits for private education, according to Grob and Joensen. Grob clarified that the meeting was "in no way an endorsement of the president, his policies, or his party" and was presented as a private discussion. He expressed regret for not heeding his initial reservations and apologized for any harm his participation may have caused.

When asked if the bishops' consent was obtained for releasing the photos and video, a White House spokeswoman stated, "There has never been a greater president for Catholic Americans than President Trump, and his strong record proves it." The press office declined to answer the question directly.

Members of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops hold diverse views on Trump and his administration's policies. Bishop Robert Barron served on Trump's Religious Liberty Commission, while other bishops have publicly denounced aspects of the administration's immigration policies, stating they conflict with Catholic teaching.