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By Jordan King
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Two Catholic bishops have accused the White House of taking advantage of a meeting and prayer with U.S. President Donald Trump, saying the moment was "exploited" or "manipulated" less than two weeks before the midterm elections.
Milwaukee Archbishop Jeffrey Grob and the bishop of Des Moines, Iowa, William Joensen both issued statements after the White House distributed a photo of them praying with the president during a meeting on Thursday which they attended, along with 10 other bishops.
The White House invitation to the bishops — extended in September — offered discussion about such issues as immigration enforcement, religious worker visas, abortion and use of federal tax credits to support private education, according to Joensen and Grob.
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Joensen said in a statement “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.”
Similarly, Grob said , in a statement titled “A Public Apology,” that he had received many questions and comments on Sunday about the meeting, claiming that the photo was publicized by the White House with photos and a video, without consent of the participants.
“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.
According to the Associated Press, 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. 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.”
Newsweek has contacted the White House,via email outside of normal working hours for comment.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.
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