Catholic bishops apologize after prayer over Trump goes public: 'A heavy sadness'

By Jon Brown, Christian Post Reporter Tuesday, October 27, 2026

Several Roman Catholic bishops have apologized or offered nuanced explanations for praying over President Donald Trump in the Oval Office last week after the White House publicized the meeting.

Archbishop Jeffrey Grob of Milwaukee and Bishop William Joensen of Des Moines issued statements expressing regret for having been among the 12 bishops who gathered with White House Faith Office senior advisor Paula White-Cain in prayer over the president on Oct. 22. Both claimed they had been manipulated into participating in a politicized photo-op that was posted to social media by White House aide Margo Martin.

Catholic Archbishops and Bishops pray with President Trump in the Oval Office ?? https://t.co/facV5wTGQQ

— Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) October 22, 2026

Grob issued a statement Sunday acknowledging the flood of backlash he has received from offended parishioners and claiming he didn't know the White House was going to make their meeting public.

Opening his apology by noting he was visiting with "fellow pilgrims" in the Dominican Republic, Grob claimed the Oval Office prayer was "publicized by the administration without the consent of the participants."

"Please know that my intention was never to cause confusion, anger, or disappointment among the people entrusted to my care. My hope here is to provide some measure of context for my decision to participate," he wrote.

Grob, who has been an outspoken critic of the Trump administration's immigration policies, went on to explain that his participation in the event should not be seen as an endorsement of Trump, his policies, or the Republican Party.

Grob said he took time to weigh whether he ought to attend the Heritage Foundation-arranged meeting, but ultimately decided it would be an opportunity "to offer my voice in a way that might improve the lives of God's children," and that he was told it would be private.

Following 90 minutes of discussion with White House staff and advisors, Grob said the bishops were ushered into the Oval Office, given commemorative tokens, and directed to stand behind the desk and pray for Trump as staff took photos. He said a video was also taken and then posted to X "unbeknownst to the group of bishops" and without their permission.

Grob said he "soon began receiving messages of serious concern over the possibility that I had inadvertently participated in a political event less than two weeks before a national election," and he "also heard from some who felt wounded because of the ways they or their family had been harmed by the president’s policies."

Grob concluded by writing that he feels "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."

"We came in good faith to try to work for the betterment of our fellow human beings, to ease their suffering, to build up the common good, and to pray with a president, not to pose for a political photo opportunity to benefit the few," he continued.

"We should never have been put in that position by the White House. I did not go without reservations. I wish I had heeded them. Please know that I have heard these concerns, understand how I caused them, and I apologize for any damage my actions have done," he added.

Bishop William Joensen of Des Moines also apologized in an Oct. 24 statement that implied the White House was behaving like manipulative wolves in sheep's clothing. He explained that the White House Faith Office had invited him and the other bishops to discuss issues important to them and other Catholics, including "immigration and the exploitation of vulnerable poor persons."

"There are many things tied to this present Administration that are blatantly at odds with our Catholic faith," Joensen wrote.

"None of us bishops were unaware that our meeting was on the cusp of a national election. Yet in no way did any of us intend by our involvement to endorse any political party or any individual candidate. That said, in retrospect, I would have done well to be more mindful of Jesus' admonition: 'Behold, I am sending you like sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and simple as doves' (Matthew 10:16)."

"I wish I had been more shrewd and less simple, like those who exploited our meeting for partisan political purposes. I pray I am more prudent and wise going forward, even as I remain resolute in my openness to engaging and praying for political leaders at all levels," he added.

Archbishop James Golka of Denver, who led the prayer with his hand on Trump in the video shared by the White House, told his archdiocesan publication that it was "never my intention" that his prayer over the president against evil would be seen as a political endorsement.

"I'm heartbroken that people are hurt, and that there are people intentionally using this moment to sow disunity," he said. A statement from the publication explained that prayer for public officials is historically appropriate and biblically commanded.

"Praying for those in public office is a longstanding Catholic practice, rooted in St. Paul’s instruction to pray for all who hold authority (1 Timothy 2:1-2). It is not an endorsement of any specific candidate or party," it said.

Bishop Scott Bullock of Rapid City, South Dakota, claimed that a representative from The Heritage Foundation had invited him and that the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops was "not unaware" of the meeting, according to the National Catholic Reporter.

Jenny Korn, who serves as director of the White House Faith Office, maintained in an X post that the prayer and the video were "not politics."

"This is policy in action ending with meaningful Prayer with & for the President. He welcomes prayer in the Oval Office regularly- on & off camera. People of faith have a VOICE," she wrote, tagging Trump and the White House Faith Office.

"This is not just a 'photo op.' These are Catholic Archbishops and Bishops who spent time talking with us about important issues on religious freedom, school choice, family tax credits, religious visas, and life. They are leaders within their communities and have a seat at the table," she added.