On October 22nd, local time, less than two weeks before the U.S. midterm elections, U.S. President Trump invited several Catholic bishops to hold a prayer ceremony at the White House. However, after photos of the public prayer ceremony at the White House attracted attention, several bishops immediately “disclaimed any involvement,” accusing the White House of using them.
On the 25th local time, Jeffrey Grobe, the Bishop of Milwaukee in the United States, issued a “public apology” statement, stating that the White House had disclosed meeting details without the participants’ consent. His attendance at the meeting did not mean he supported Trump or the Republican Party. William Jonsson, the Bishop of Des Moines, also issued a statement, accusing the White House of attempting to use this meeting for partisan political purposes.
Groob and Jonsson stated that the White House invited several bishops to the White House in September for a meeting to discuss issues such as immigration enforcement, visas for religious leaders, abortion, and using federal tax credits to support private education. After approximately 90 minutes of discussion with White House officials, Trump met with them in the Oval Office and gave them a souvenir.
Groob said in his statement: “We were asked to stand behind him and pray. After taking a few photos, we left. Without our knowledge, the White House also recorded videos. However, the bishops did not agree to make these videos and photos public or to release them.”
Groob emphasized that this meeting does not represent support for Trump, his policies, or the Republican Party. He said, “I did not come here without any reservations. I really wish I had been able to listen to the opinions of others at that time.”
On October 22nd, local time, the White House held a prayer ceremony. Social Media
Jonsson also stated in his statement that the United States is about to hold mid-term elections. However, the bishops’ participation in the White House meeting does not mean they support any political party or candidate. Instead, they hope to convey their views to White House officials through dialogue. He criticized, “I wish I had been more astute at that time, less foolish, and not have allowed those who try to use our meeting for partisan political activities.”
Previously, the White House had conducted several similar prayer ceremonies. In March of this year, Trump invited a group of pastors to pray for him in the Oval Office of the White House, and also prayed for the American soldiers participating in military operations against Iran.
More than 40% of the population in the United States is Protestant, while Catholics account for about 20%. According to The Associated Press, there are significant divisions within American Catholic churches regarding Trump and his policies. For example, Robert Barron, the bishop of Winona-Rochester in Minnesota, supports the “Religious Freedom Commission” established by the Trump administration, whose members are almost all conservatives. Other bishops condemn Trump’s tough immigration enforcement policies.
