After Milwaukee Archbishop Jeffrey Grob publicly apologized for a prayer session, President Trump received a defense from The White House. Archbishop Grob claimed the administration shared photos of the event without the consent of the 12 bishops involved.
Archbishop Grob issued a statement Sunday titled “A Public Apology” regarding the incident. He said he received messages from Catholics who felt the prayer looked like a political endorsement.
The archbishop stated that the sacred moment was manipulated for political gain.
He told the New York Post that he felt a heavy sadness over the pain he caused. “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.
Grob explained his original intent was to work for the betterment of fellow human beings. “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 said.
The meeting took place last Thursday in the Oval Office with 12 Catholic bishops. Denver Bishop James Golka led the prayer and placed his hand on the president’s shoulder.
Bishop Golka thanked the president for the gift of the nation and the office. “Thank you for the gift of our beautiful nation,” Bishop Golka said. He added, “We lift up our president today” and “We ask your blessing upon him.”
The group’s original goals were clarified by Bishop Scott Bullock of Rapid City, South Dakota. “It really was not intended to be a political meeting per se,” Bullock said.
The White House Faith Office organized the gathering to discuss immigration and religious freedom. EWTN News was informed by White House Faith Director Jenny Korn that the meeting was part of ongoing efforts.
White House spokeswoman Taylor Rogers pushed back hard against the apology on Monday. She defended Trump’s record on religious liberty in a statement to Fox News Digital.
“There has never been a greater president for Catholic Americans than President Trump, and his strong record proves it: he stopped the weaponization of the federal government against Christians, proudly defended and expanded our religious rights, pardoned pro-life activists, stopped the chemical mutilation of our nation’s children, and protected parents’ rights,” Rogers said.
Bishop William Joensen of Des Moines said the prayer was meant to ask for divine guidance. He noted the intention was not to endorse Trump but “that God would guide h.”
The dispute highlights the tension between private faith and public political moments. The manner in which the video was presented to the public is regretted by some bishops.
per Deseret News Faith, the scene became a political flashpoint when the video was shared. The White House maintains the president’s record speaks for itself.
The archbishop’s statement remains a formal apology for the distress caused to his flock. The White House continues to highlight the president’s support for religious rights.
