Roman Catholic bishops, including Milwaukee Archbishop Jeffrey Grob and Des Moines Bishop William Joensen, expressed deep regret and issued public apologies following an October 22, 2026 meeting with President Donald Trump. The bishops stated that an Oval Office prayer was intended to be a private discussion arranged via the Heritage Foundation, but was published online without consent by White House advisers ahead of the midterm elections.
Bishops criticize political use of visit
- ▪Archbishop James R. Golka of Denver, who led the Oval Office prayer on October 22, stated that the October 22 meeting was never intended to serve as a political endorsement
- ▪Milwaukee Archbishop Jeffrey Grob issued a public apology statement expressing sadness that prayer was manipulated as a political photo opportunity by the White House on October 22
- ▪Milwaukee Archbishop Jeffrey Grob stated that White House staff published video and photos of the October 22 Oval Office prayer without the consent of the 12 participating Catholic bishops
- ▪Bishop William Joensen of Des Moines stated that the White House visit by 12 Catholic bishops on October 22 was exploited for partisan political purposes less than two weeks before the midterm elections
White House visit and prayer session
- ▪A delegation of 12 Catholic bishops met with President Donald Trump and White House staff in the Oval Office on October 22, 2026, where staff took photos and recorded a prayer video
- ▪Catholic bishops were directed by staff to stand behind President Donald Trump and pray in the Oval Office after meeting with White House staff and advisers
- ▪Milwaukee Archbishop Jeffrey Grob stated that the Heritage Foundation arranged the October 22 White House visit under expectations of a private discussion and private prayer with President Donald Trump
- ▪White House special assistant and communications adviser Margo Martin posted a video of Catholic bishops praying with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office on social media
- ▪The White House invitation to Catholic bishops, extended in September 2026, offered discussions on immigration enforcement, religious worker visas, abortion, and tax credits for private education
Bishops oppose Trump policies
- ▪Some Catholic bishops vehemently denounced aspects of President Donald Trump's tough stance on immigration enforcement, stating it runs counter to Catholic teaching
- ▪Bishop William Joensen characterized many actions taken by the Trump administration as blatantly at odds with the Catholic faith
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