US Catholic Bishops Express Regret Over White House Meeting With Trump

Two prominent Catholic bishops in the United States have voiced regret following a White House meeting with President Donald Trump, explaining that imagery from the gathering was used for political purposes without their consent.

Milwaukee Archbishop Jeffrey Grob and Bishop William Joensen of Des Moines, Iowa, stated that they originally believed the October 22 discussion was private. The meeting, arranged by the White House Faith Office, reportedly centered on pressing issues such as immigration policies, international clergy visas, and the treatment of vulnerable populations.

However, after officials ushered the religious leaders into the Oval Office to pray with the president, a special assistant to the president shared video footage and photographs of the encounter online. Archbishop Grob noted that congregants quickly expressed anxiety, questioning whether he had taken part in a partisan event shortly before a national election.

Bishop Joensen issued an online statement clarifying that the bishops never intended to back any political candidate or party, admitting that he wished he had acted with more caution against those who utilized the gathering for political maneuvering. Both clerics confirmed that they did not grant permission for the media to be publicly distributed.

The White House defended the president’s record, though administration representatives did not directly respond to the bishops’ concerns. The controversy arrives amid broader tensions between the administration and church leadership over immigration policies and the treatment of marginalized communities.

Read the full story on Nile Post.