Catholic bishops apologize for White House prayer photo with Trump

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 26 Oct, 12:31 · Archive

Two Catholic bishops have expressed regret over a White House meeting that produced a publicly distributed photo of them praying with President Trump.

Two Catholic bishops expressed regret over a White House meeting on Thursday that produced publicly distributed photos and video of them praying with President Trump. Milwaukee Archbishop Jeffrey Grob and Des Moines Bishop William Joensen attended the meeting with 11 other bishops and subsequently issued statements expressing concern about how the event was handled.

Grob said in a statement titled 'A Public Apology' that he had received many distraught questions and comments about the meeting. He stated that the White House publicized the encounter with photos and video without the bishops' consent, and did so 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.

Joensen similarly expressed regret, stating: 'I wish I had been more shrewd and less simple, like those who exploited our meeting for partisan political purpose.' When asked whether the White House had received the bishops' consent for releasing the photos and video, the White House press office declined to answer. Instead, spokesperson Taylor Rogers said: 'There has never been a greater president for Catholic Americans than President Trump, and his strong record proves it.' The White House invitation had been extended in September and reportedly offered discussion about immigration enforcement, religious worker visas, abortion and federal tax credits for private education.

How it is being reported

• Bishops lament White House meeting that produced photo with TrumpTwo Catholic bishops have expressed regret about agreeing to a White House meeting that produced a publicly distributed photo of them praying with President Trump.CBS News · 26 Oct, 12:14
• Catholic bishops apologize over photo of them praying with TrumpThe bishop of Des Moines, Iowa issued a statement saying he felt the White House had taken advantage of the bishopsIndependent World · 26 Oct, 06:21

In this story: Jeffrey Grob · William Joensen · Donald Trump · White House · Milwaukee · Des Moines

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