Bishops Backlash Over Oval Office Prayer Video

Two Catholic bishops who prayed alongside Donald Trump in the Oval Office released statements over the weekend expressing regret, accusing the White House of converting a private moment into a political advertisement. Archbishop Jeffrey Grob of Milwaukee and Bishop William Joensen of Des Moines issued the apologies after video of the gathering appeared on social media. The footage, which showed twelve bishops bowing heads with the president, was posted less than two weeks before the midterm elections scheduled for 3 November.

Grob published a statement titled 'A Public Apology,' in which he described feeling 'a heavy sadness' regarding the distress the images caused. He reported receiving messages from people alarmed that he had inadvertently participated in a political event on the eve of a national vote. Others, he noted, were hurt because of the effects of Trump's policies on their families. 'We should never have been put in that position by the White House,' Grob wrote, stating he had harbored reservations and 'wish I had heeded them'.

Joensen stated that 'many things tied to this present Administration' were 'blatantly at odds with our Catholic faith'. He asserted that while the bishops knew the meeting occurred near an election, none intended to endorse a party or candidate. 'I wish I had been more shrewd and less simple, like those who exploited our meeting for partisan political purposes,' Joensen said.

The meeting was arranged by the Heritage Foundation, according to Grob, who is the archbishop of Milwaukee. He stated the bishops were told the session would focus privately on immigration enforcement, religious-worker visas, and human dignity, with a potential chance to pray. After ninety minutes with domestic policy staff, the group entered the Oval Office, received commemorative tokens, and were directed to stand behind Trump's desk to pray. Grob stated that no one informed them a video was recording, and they did not agree to its release.

Archbishop James Golka of Denver, who was present, told his archdiocese's publication that he understood why many perceived the video as an endorsement, though it was 'never my intention'. Golka stated he was heartbroken that people were hurt and that some were using the moment to sow disunity. Bishop Scott Bullock of Rapid City told the National Catholic Reporter that a Heritage Foundation representative invited him and that the US Conference of Catholic Bishops was 'not unaware' of the meeting.

Trump has fused Christian prayers with government machinery during his second term, establishing a White House Faith Office by executive order in February 2025. That same month, he created a justice department-led taskforce to 'eradicate anti-Christian bias' in federal agencies. At the inauguration prayer service, the Episcopal bishop Mariann Budde urged him to show mercy toward migrants and LGBTQ+ people; Trump demanded that she and her church apologize, which she rejected. Archbishop Paul Coakley of Oklahoma City, president of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, has urged Catholics to put faith ahead of politics before the vote.