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Catholic bishops regret White House prayer photo with Trump, say it was used politically
AP News ^ | Updated 4:11 PM CDT, October 25, 2026 | DAVID CRARY

Posted on 10/25/2026 4:00:57 PM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum

Two Catholic bishops have expressed regret about agreeing to a White House meeting that produced a publicly distributed photo of them praying with President Donald Trump.

Milwaukee Archbishop Jeffrey Grob, in a statement titled “A Public Apology,” said Sunday that he had received many questions and comments — some of them distraught — about the meeting on Thursday which he and 11 other bishops attended.

He said the meeting was speedily publicized by the White House with photos and a video, without consent of the participants, and less than two weeks away from the midterm elections.

“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.

The bishop of Des Moines, Iowa, William Joensen, also issued a statement making clear he felt the White House had taken advantage of the bishops.

“I wish I had been more shrewd and less simple, like those who exploited our meeting for partisan political purpose,” he wrote. “I pray I am more prudent and wise going forward, even as I remain resolute in my openness to engaging and praying for political leaders at all levels.”

Asked whether the White House had or hadn’t received the bishop’s consent for releasing the photos and video, the press office declined to answer that question. Instead, White House spokeswoman Taylor Rogers replied, “There has never been a greater president for Catholic Americans than President Trump, and his strong record proves it.”

The White House invitation to the bishops — extended in September — offered discussion about such issues as immigration enforcement, religious worker visas, abortion and use...

(Excerpt) Read more at apnews.com ...


TOPICS: Politics/Elections
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United States Catholic Bishops ($1.4 billion+) and Catholic Charities ($2 billion+) didn't mind getting paid by the federal government to "settle refugees" though.
1 posted on 10/25/2026 4:00:58 PM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

Makes me boil....Remember Washington on his knees..or Kamila and the Pope...


2 posted on 10/25/2026 4:06:34 PM PDT by Sacajaweau
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To: T.B. Yoits


3 posted on 10/25/2026 4:07:24 PM PDT by T.B. Yoits
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

Apologizing to liberals. Back home.

They’ll see what good that will do, and still blame Trump


4 posted on 10/25/2026 4:07:33 PM PDT by stanne
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To: All

Bishop or not it always surprises me that an adult would act like this. Grow up, already.


5 posted on 10/25/2026 4:16:43 PM PDT by escapefromboston (Peace, commerce and honest friendship with all nations, entangling alliances with none.)
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To: All

6 posted on 10/25/2026 4:16:55 PM PDT by Liz (“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies the work of His hands. " (Psalm 19:1))
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To: escapefromboston

Of course they had no problem getting AP to run with the story.


7 posted on 10/25/2026 4:22:31 PM PDT by daler
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To: Liz

aH YES cATHOLIC CHARITIES IS THAT NOT THE PEOPLE THAT HANDED OUT FREE 1500 DOLLAR CELL PHONES TO ALL OF bIDENS iLLEGAL aLIENS. FROM ME, A CATHOLIC WHO GOT SMART TO THESE CROOKS: DON’T GIVE THEM A DIME. ALL THE ILLEGAL ALIEN KILLERS ARE ON THE CATHOLIC CHURCHES, A PLAGUE ON YOU ALL.dO THEY STILL SAY THAT PELOSI IS A GOOD CATHOLIC AND GIVE HER THE HOLY SACRAMENT WHILE SHE PROMOTES MURDERING BABIES? HAVE YOU NO SHAME?


8 posted on 10/25/2026 4:24:53 PM PDT by electricjack (Hello I am from the govt an an I am here to help you )
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

Why would they get upset about this. There is one explanation I can think of. These bishops were trying to deceptively play both sides of the fence.


9 posted on 10/25/2026 4:25:35 PM PDT by Revel
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To: Sacajaweau

Oh yeah - but they were happy to be used as political pawns when they took photos with Obama


10 posted on 10/25/2026 4:28:42 PM PDT by Skywise
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

*** without consent of the participant***

You know what? I truly doubt this. I bet the good bishops had to sign something ahead of time, and even IF they didn’t, surely are astute enough to know that their photos there would be the property of the WH. It was an historic moment. They knew that they were being recorded.


11 posted on 10/25/2026 4:31:33 PM PDT by FamiliarFace (I got my own way of livin' But everything gets done With a southern accent Where I come from. TPetty)
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To: Sacajaweau

I heard nothing but the politics and talking points of Hillary and the Alec at my Catholic Church until I stopped putting up with it. The clerics of the Catholic Church are flabby soft milquetoasts and weaklings.


12 posted on 10/25/2026 4:33:00 PM PDT by TalBlack (An old man does not die in the country into which he was born.)
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To: Revel

I think they are playing one side of the fence and got caught playing both sides so had to make a public apology (which is absurd) to their preferred side. What spineless, weak-kneed, venal idiots.


13 posted on 10/25/2026 4:33:45 PM PDT by vivenne (7Come to think of it. Fact.)
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To: Revel

I think they are playing one side of the fence and got caught playing both sides so had to make a public apology (which is absurd) to their preferred side. What spineless, weak-kneed, venal idiots.


14 posted on 10/25/2026 4:33:47 PM PDT by vivenne (7Come to think of it. Fact.)
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To: TalBlack

Hillary and the Left


15 posted on 10/25/2026 4:34:52 PM PDT by TalBlack (An old man does not die in the country into which he was born.)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

Anti-American/tds parishoners all mad? 😴😴😴😴


16 posted on 10/25/2026 4:35:27 PM PDT by rktman (Patriotism not 'hateriotism' !. Enlisted USN 1967 proudly. 🇺🇸)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

You misspelled bitchhops as bischops.


17 posted on 10/25/2026 4:36:57 PM PDT by MIchaelTArchangel
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

Still voting democrat, I see.


18 posted on 10/25/2026 4:45:42 PM PDT by Flaming Conservative ((Pray without ceasing))
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

Bishops Smishops. They’re all community organizers and down with the struggle.


19 posted on 10/25/2026 4:46:34 PM PDT by Quentin Quarantino
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To: electricjack

The same catholics that covered statues at Notre Dame University for the kenyan’s visit? Covered statues of Jesus and Mary?

I used to give to the catholic church and catholic charities until I figured out where the money went.

No more.


20 posted on 10/25/2026 4:49:39 PM PDT by Texas resident ( We finally have an American President again)
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