Catholic bishops apologise for 'exploited' Trump meeting
Two Catholic bishops have apologised after a private White House prayer meeting with President Donald Trump was shared publicly days before the midterm elections, saying a sacred moment was turned into a political photo opportunity.
Twelve Catholic bishops visited the White House on Thursday, October 22, for what they understood would be a private discussion on matters important to the Church, including immigration enforcement, religious worker visas and human dignity.
After a ninety-minute meeting with White House staff, the bishops were taken into the Oval Office, where they stood behind the president and prayed with him. Photos and video of the prayer were soon posted publicly by the White House, less than two weeks before the midterm elections.
Milwaukee Archbishop Jeffrey Grob issued a public apology, saying the meeting was never an endorsement of the president, his policies or his party, and that permission to share the photos and video had not been given. He said he felt a heavy sadness that something so sacred had been manipulated in that way.
Des Moines Bishop William Joensen also said the White House had taken advantage of the meeting for partisan purposes, writing that he wished he had been more shrewd. Both bishops said they remain open to praying for political leaders, but insisted the gathering should never have been used as a campaign moment.
The White House declined to say whether consent had been given, with a spokeswoman saying there had never been a greater president for Catholic Americans.
Reporting based on coverage from BBC News.