Two Catholic bishops say the White House used a private prayer meeting with Trump for political purposes

What happened

Two Catholic bishops have publicly expressed regret over taking part in a White House meeting that ended with photos and a video of them praying with President Donald Trump, CBS News and PBS NewsHour reported. The meeting took place Thursday, and Milwaukee Archbishop Jeffrey Grob attended along with 11 other bishops, according to the reports.

Grob released a statement on Sunday under the title "A Public Apology." He said the White House quickly publicized the gathering with photos and a video without the participants' consent, and that it happened less than two weeks before the midterm elections.

What the bishops said

Milwaukee archbishop issues apology

Grob said he had received many questions and comments about the meeting, some of them distraught. He said he felt "a heavy sadness, not only over the pain I caused," and objected that prayer among religious leaders had been "manipulated in that way," according to both outlets.

He wrote that the meeting "was in no way an endorsement of the president, his policies, or his party." Grob also said he went with reservations and wished he had heeded them, and he apologized for any damage his actions had done.

Grob said messages soon arrived raising concern that he may have unknowingly taken part in a political event shortly before a national election. He said he also heard from people who felt wounded because they or their families had been harmed by the president's policies.

Des Moines bishop says meeting was exploited

William Joensen, the bishop of Des Moines, Iowa, issued his own statement making clear he believed the White House had taken advantage of the group. He wrote that he wished he had been "more shrewd and less simple, like those who exploited our meeting for partisan political purpose."

Joensen added that he hopes to be more prudent going forward. He also said he remains open to engaging with and praying for political leaders at all levels, the outlets reported.

What the bishops were told

The September invitation

According to Joensen and Grob, the White House invitation went out in September. It offered a discussion of issues including immigration enforcement, religious worker visas, abortion and the use of federal tax credits to support private education.

Grob wrote that the bishops were told it would be a private discussion, that several Catholic Cabinet members might appear, and that there might be a chance to pray privately with the president. He said it "did not take long" before the White House posted the video and photos of the prayer.

The White House response

When asked whether it had the bishops' consent to release the photos and video, the White House press office declined to answer, CBS News and PBS NewsHour reported. Spokesperson Taylor Rogers instead said, "There has never been a greater president for Catholic Americans than President Trump, and his strong record proves it."

Divided views among bishops

Members of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops hold a range of views on Trump and his administration's policies, according to the reports. Minnesota-based Bishop Robert Barron, for example, agreed to serve on Trump's Religious Liberty Commission, which the outlets said was filled almost entirely with conservative Christians.

Other bishops have strongly criticized parts of the administration's approach to immigration enforcement, saying it runs counter to Catholic teaching. Readers following the midterm races can find local coverage on our elections page and more national stories in our Nation section.

What to watch next

• The midterm elections, which Grob noted were less than two weeks away when the meeting took place.
• Whether the White House addresses if it had the bishops' consent to release the photos and video, a question its press office declined to answer.