Several Catholic leaders have voiced criticism of the White House after a video surfaced showing them praying with former President Donald Trump in the Oval Office. The leaders, who were in Washington D.C. for a meeting organized by the Heritage Foundation, accused the administration of exploiting the moment for political purposes.
Milwaukee Archbishop Jeffrey S. Grob issued a public apology, stating that the prayer was "in no way an endorsement of the president, his policies, or his party." He explained that the meeting was intended to discuss issues important to the Church, such as immigration enforcement and religious worker visas. Grob described being "ushered into the Oval Office" and directed to pray behind Trump, unaware that a video was being filmed. The circulation of the video, he said, caused pain and confusion, particularly as it occurred shortly before a national election.
"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 stated. He added that the religious leaders had come in good faith to discuss and pray for the betterment of people, not to participate in a political photo opportunity.
Des Moines Bishop William Joensen echoed these sentiments, asserting that none of the participants intended to endorse any political party or candidate. "In retrospect, I would have done well to be more mindful of Jesus’ admonition: ‘Behold, I am sending you like sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and simple as doves,’" Joensen wrote, implying he wished he had been more cautious.
Denver Archbishop James Golka, who led the prayer, acknowledged that he knew the meeting could be shared and potentially used for political purposes. "I understand that many people saw the video, posted by the Administration twelve days before an election, as an endorsement. That was never my intention," he said. Golka expressed heartbreak that people were hurt and that the moment was being used to sow disunity.