Catholic bishops apologize for "exploited" Trump Oval Office prayer video

Catholic bishops have accused the Trump White House of exploiting a private prayer meeting for political gain, after photos and videos of the gathering were quickly disseminated without their consent. Two prominent bishops expressed deep regret and issued public apologies following the incident, which occurred less than two weeks before crucial midterm elections.

Milwaukee Archbishop Jeffrey Grob, in a statement titled "A Public Apology," conveyed "heavy sadness" over the pain caused and the manipulation of a sacred prayer. He, along with Des Moines Bishop William Joensen, asserted that the meeting was intended for private discussion on policy matters such as immigration and religious worker visas, not as an endorsement or a partisan photo opportunity.

The White House's swift publicizing of the images led bishops to believe their participation was exploited for campaign purposes. While the White House did not directly address consent regarding the media release, a spokesperson stated that President Trump had an exceptional record for Catholic Americans.