Two Catholic bishops say the White House took advantage of a prayer with President Donald Trump. They spoke out after the White House publicized photos and video of the Oval Office moment, less than two weeks before the midterm elections. 12
Milwaukee Archbishop Jeffrey Grob and Bishop William Joensen of Des Moines, Iowa, each issued statements. Both were among the bishops who met with Trump on Thursday. 12
What the bishops said
Grob's statement was titled "A Public Apology." He said he had received many questions and comments, some of them distraught. He said the White House publicized the photos and video without the participants' consent. 12
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 the bishops spent about 90 minutes with White House domestic policy staff and advisors. They were then "ushered into the Oval Office," where Trump greeted them and they received "commemorative tokens." He said they were told to stand behind the president and pray, and that a video was taken without the group knowing. 1
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Grob also wrote that the meeting was "in no way an endorsement of the president, his policies, or his party." He said he had been told the session would be private and that there might be a chance to pray privately with Trump. 2
I wish I had been more shrewd and less simple, like those who exploited our meeting for partisan political purpose.
Joensen added that he remains open to "engaging and praying for political leaders at all levels." 12
The White House response
The White House did not directly answer Grob's claim that it lacked consent. 1 Asked whether it had the bishops' consent, the press office declined to answer. Spokeswoman Taylor Rogers said instead: "There has never been a greater president for Catholic Americans than President Trump, and his strong record proves it." 2
A clip of the prayer was posted Thursday by White House communications adviser Margo Martin. Asked about the meeting the next day, Trump said: "It was a great meeting." 1
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, the national bishops' group, distanced itself. Spokesperson Chieko Noguchi told the National Catholic Reporter: "This was not something that the USCCB organized. It is not affiliated with the conference." The conference has long held that it does not endorse candidates. 1
Why it matters
The White House invitation went out in September. According to the two bishops, it offered talks on immigration enforcement, religious worker visas, abortion and federal tax credits to support private education. 12
That matters because the bishops say they came for a private conversation and left feeling used for politics. Voters of faith can weigh that when they decide whom to trust.
Catholic bishops hold varied views on Trump. Bishop Robert Barron agreed to serve on Trump's Religious Liberty Commission, while other bishops have sharply criticized the administration's immigration enforcement as contrary to Catholic teaching. 2 Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3.
The Record
Sources
- Newsweek, “Catholic Bishops Say White House Exploited Prayer With Trump” (2026-10-26). newsweek.com/catholic-bishops-say-white-house-exploited-pray
- ABC News (AP), “Catholic bishops regret White House prayer photo with Trump, say it was used politically” (2026-10-25). abcnews.com/Politics/wireStory/catholic-bishops-regret-white
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