Photo and video of prayer meeting produced regret as bishops lament White House session with Trump
Publicity Draws Bishops’ Regret
Bishop Grob said the White House quickly posted a video and photos showing the prayer. He said the participants had not consented to the release, which took place less than two weeks before the midterm elections.
Invitation Covered Policy Issues
The White House invited the bishops in September to discuss issues including immigration enforcement, religious worker visas, abortion and federal tax credits for private education, according to Joensen and Grob. Grob said the bishops came in good faith to help others and pray with the president, not to appear in a political photo opportunity. He said they should not have been placed in that position.
White House Defends Trump
Catholic bishops hold varied views of Trump and his administration. Minnesota-based Bishop Robert Barron agreed to serve on the president’s Religious Liberty Commission, while other bishops have strongly criticized the administration’s immigration enforcement policies as inconsistent with Catholic teaching.
Key points
- Two bishops regretted attending after the White House released a prayer photo and video.
- Joensen said the bishops felt the White House had taken advantage of them.
- The September invitation listed immigration, religious visas, abortion and private-school tax credits for discussion.
- The White House declined to answer whether the bishops consented to publication.