Bishops regret Oval Office prayer moment

Archbishop Jeffrey Grob of Milwaukee and Bishop William Joensen of Des Moines expressed regret over a prayer session held with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office. The two men were part of a group of twelve Catholic bishops who met with administration officials last Thursday. Both issued statements of apology over the weekend following the release of video footage from the encounter.

The White House posted the images and video to social media less than two weeks before the midterm elections scheduled for 3 November. The caption described the group as Catholic archbishops and bishops praying with the US president. This timing placed the event in the spotlight during a critical period for the administration's political goals.

Grob described feeling a heavy sadness regarding the reaction to the images. He noted that many people were alarmed by the appearance of a political endorsement on the eve of a national vote. He wrote that he harbored reservations about the meeting and wished he had heeded them. He stated that the White House should not have put the bishops in that position.

Joensen wrote that many aspects of the current administration were at odds with Catholic faith. He maintained that no bishop intended to endorse a specific party or candidate. He described himself as less shrewd than those who he felt exploited the meeting for partisan political purposes.

Grob identified the Heritage Foundation as the organizer of the meeting. The conservative think tank is known for its Project 2025 blueprint. The bishops were told the discussion would cover immigration enforcement, religious-worker visas, and human dignity. They expected a private discussion with a possible chance to pray privately with the president.

Instead, the group spent 90 minutes with domestic policy staff before moving to the Oval Office. Grob said they were handed commemorative tokens and directed to stand behind the presidential desk to pray. No one informed them that a video was being recorded. They did not agree to its public release.

Joensen added that the agenda also included fertility treatment incentives, abortion-inducing drugs, and tax credits for private schools. Officials from the White House Faith Office invited him to the meeting. Archbishop James Golka of Denver said he was heartbroken by the hurt caused to people but insisted the event was never his intention to endorse anyone.

Bishop Scott Bullock of Rapid City confirmed that a Heritage Foundation representative invited him. He stated that the US Conference of Catholic Bishops was aware of the meeting but did not specify which leaders knew. Archbishop Paul Coakley of Oklahoma City, who presides over the conference, urged Catholics to prioritize faith over politics before the vote.

The administration has integrated Christian prayers into government functions during this term. An executive order in February 2025 created a White House Faith Office. A justice department taskforce was also established to address anti-Christian bias in federal agencies. The bishops will hold their annual assembly in Baltimore in November, shortly after the election results are in.

Grob ended his statement with an expression of sincere regret. He noted that bishops, like all believers, are a pilgrim people. The statements from Grob and Joensen arrived as the midterm election campaign intensified across the country.