Iowa bishop says White House meeting was used for political purposes

Bishop William Joensen of the Diocese of Des Moines said the Oct. 22 meeting of 12 bishops at the White House was not intended to endorse any political party, even though it occurred during early voting for the midterm elections. Joensen noted the delegation was told that "key officials" wanted to hear from clergy and described the invitation as an opportunity to discuss Gospel teachings on contemporary issues.

Joensen added that many actions of the Trump administration conflict with Catholic doctrine and expressed regret that the meeting was later used for partisan purposes. He said he wishes he had been more cautious and hopes to engage political leaders prudently in the future.

Archbishop Jeffrey Grob said the Heritage Foundation organized the visit, which the bishops expected to be a private discussion and a chance to pray with President Donald Trump. After meeting White House staff, the bishops entered the Oval Office, where Trump greeted them, presented commemorative tokens, and directed them to stand behind him for a prayer that was photographed.

"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 said.

A video of the prayer was posted on social media by a Trump communications adviser without the participants' consent, according to Grob. He said the bishops were placed in a political setting they did not intend to support.

White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers responded that "there has never been a greater president for Catholic Americans" than Trump, without addressing the bishops' concerns.