Catholic Archbishop Calls Trump White House Political Move
Catholic Archbishop accuses Trump White House of turning private prayer into political stunt ahead of midterms.
2 min read
The Archbishop of Milwaukee, Jeffrey Grob, has accused the Trump White House of transforming a private prayer session into a political stunt ahead of the November midterm elections. The meeting, held on October 22 in the Oval Office, included Grob and 11 other Catholic bishops. Grob issued a public apology on October 25, stating that the White House had not sought permission from attendees before posting photos and videos of the event.
Private Discussion Turned Public
Grob explained that the meeting was arranged by the Heritage Foundation and focused on issues important to the Church, such as immigration enforcement, religious worker visas, and human dignity. The bishops had a 90-minute discussion with White House staff and policy advisors before entering the Oval Office and praying with President Trump.
Catholic Archbishops and Bishops pray with President Trump in the Oval Office ❤️ https://t.co/facV5wTGQQ
“It did not take long thereafter for the White House to post a video and photos of the prayer. I soon began receiving messages of serious concern over the possibility that I had inadvertently participated in a political event less than two weeks before a national election,” Grob said. He also mentioned that some individuals felt wounded due to the president’s policies.
Denial of Endorsement
Grob emphasized that his attendance at the meeting was not an endorsement of Trump or his policies. He claimed the group attended in good faith and should not have been manipulated into a political photo opportunity. A spokesperson for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) also distanced the organization from the meeting, stating it was neither organized by nor affiliated with the conference.
White House Defense
A White House spokesperson, Taylor Rogers, defended Trump’s record on Catholic issues, claiming that he has “stopped the weaponization of the federal government against Christians” and “protected parents’ rights.” The spokesperson highlighted Trump’s support for religious freedom and pro-life policies.
While some members of the USCCB have varying views on Trump’s policies, Bishop Robert Barron has publicly supported Trump’s Religious Liberty Commission, according to the Associated Press.
Source: Daily Caller
