Catholic Bishops Criticize White House Over Meeting Photo

Two Catholic bishops have criticized the White House for allegedly taking advantage of a meeting and prayer session with U.S. President Donald Trump. They claim the event was used for political purposes just days before the midterm elections.

Archbishop Jeffrey Grob from Milwaukee and Bishop William Joensen from Des Moines, Iowa, released statements following the distribution of a photo by the White House. The picture showed them praying with the president during a meeting held on Thursday, attended by ten other bishops as well.

The invitation from the White House, extended in September, aimed to discuss issues such as immigration enforcement, religious worker visas, abortion, and federal tax credits for private education, as stated by Joensen and Grob.

In his statement, Joensen expressed regret, saying, “I wish I had been more shrewd and less simple, like those who exploited our meeting for partisan political purpose.” He stressed the importance of being prudent and wise moving forward while continuing to engage and pray for political leaders.

Similarly, Grob issued a statement titled “A Public Apology,” where he addressed the feedback received about the meeting. He claimed the photo was publicized by the White House, along with additional images and a video, without participants’ consent. “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 explained.

According to the Associated Press, when asked if the White House had obtained the bishops’ consent to release the photos and video, the press office did not provide a direct answer. Instead, White House spokeswoman Taylor Rogers stated, “There has never been a greater president for Catholic Americans than President Trump, and his strong record proves it.”

Newsweek has reached out to the White House for comment, though outside normal working hours. This story is developing and will include updates as more information becomes available.