Catholic Bishops Apologize After White House Releases Oval Office Prayer Video Ahead of Midterms

Key points

• Twelve Catholic bishops, including Archbishops Jeffrey Grob and James Golka, apologized for attending a White House meeting with President Trump on October 22, stating they were exploited for political gain.
• The White House released video and photos of the bishops praying over the president on October 22, less than two weeks before the November 3 midterm elections, without the clergy's consent.
• Archbishop Grob claimed the meeting was intended as a private discussion on immigration and religious visas, not an endorsement of the president or his party, and apologized for 'inadvertently' participating in a political event.
• Bishop William Joensen of Des Moines expressed regret, stating he wished he had been 'more shrewd' and less simple, and criticized the administration for exploiting the meeting for partisan purposes.
• The White House defended the meeting, with spokeswoman Taylor Rogers praising Trump's record for Catholic Americans, including expanded religious rights and pardons for anti-abortion activists.
• Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope, has avoided taking sides in US politics and has not visited the US in 2026 due to the election cycle, though he has criticized the administration's immigration policies and the war in Iran.

Background

This incident follows a series of tensions between the Trump administration and the Catholic Church, including disputes over immigration enforcement and the war in Iran. Pope Leo XIV has maintained a neutral stance on US politics but has spoken out against administration policies. The 2026 midterm elections are a significant focus for both the White House and religious leaders, with Catholic voters being a mixed political group. Previous coverage highlighted the bishops' concerns about the meeting being used for political purposes and the lack of consent for the video's release.

How outlets are covering it

CNN and The New York Times emphasize the bishops' regret and the White House's exploitation of the meeting for partisan purposes, highlighting the lack of consent for the video's release. Politico focuses on the bishops' distancing from the White House and the backlash from the video. Denver Catholic provides a more nuanced view, with Archbishop Golka explaining his decision to attend the meeting as a pastoral duty to pray for leaders, while acknowledging the mixed response and the potential for political interpretation. The White House, through spokeswoman Taylor Rogers, defends the meeting as a display of faith and praises Trump's record for Catholic Americans, contrasting with the bishops' claims of manipulation.

Why it matters

The incident highlights the growing tension between the Catholic Church and the Trump administration, particularly regarding the use of religious imagery for political purposes. It raises questions about the boundaries between faith and politics in the US and the potential for exploitation of religious leaders for partisan gain. The backlash from Catholic voters and church officials could impact the midterm elections and the relationship between the administration and the Catholic community.

What to watch

The Catholic bishops are expected to continue their engagement with the administration on policy issues, while the White House may face further criticism for the use of the video. The midterm elections will be a key focus for both the administration and religious leaders, with Catholic voters potentially influencing the outcome. The incident may also lead to further discussions about the role of religion in politics and the need for clear boundaries between faith and partisan activities.