Catholic bishops apologise after White House publishes prayer photo with Trump
Two Catholic bishops have expressed regret over a White House meeting that produced a publicly distributed photo of them praying with President Donald Trump, saying the private gathering was publicised without their consent less than two weeks before the midterm elections.
Two Catholic bishops have expressed regret over a White House meeting that produced a public photo of them praying with President Donald Trump, saying a private gathering was publicised without their consent.
Milwaukee Archbishop Jeffrey Grob said in a statement titled “A Public Apology”, issued on Sunday, that he had received questions and comments about the Thursday 22 October meeting, attended with 11 other bishops. He said the White House publicised it with photos and a video, without the participants’ consent, less than two weeks before the midterm elections.
“The meeting was in no way an endorsement of the president, his policies, or his party,” Grob wrote. The bishops had been told the meeting would be private, with possibly an opportunity to pray privately with the president. “I did not go without reservations. I wish I had heeded them,” he concluded. “I apologize for any damage my actions have done.”
The Bishop of Des Moines, Iowa, William Joensen, also issued a statement saying 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 September invitation had offered discussion of immigration enforcement, religious worker visas, abortion and tax credits for private education. The press office declined to say whether it had the bishops’ consent to release the material; spokeswoman Taylor Rogers replied: “There has never been a greater president for Catholic Americans than President Trump, and his strong record proves it.”
Sources:
- Associated Press: https://businessmirror.com.ph/2026/10/26/catholic-bishops-regret-white-house-prayer-photo-with-trump/
- Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/local/wisconsin/2026/10/25/archbishop-jeffrey-grob-apologizes-explains-trump-white-house-visit/92430388007/
- Baptist News Global: https://baptistnews.com/article/catholic-bishops-take-heat-for-praying-over-trump/
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