Two Catholic bishops regret a recent White House visit after images of them praying with President Trump were shared publicly.
Two Catholic bishops recently voiced regret after meeting with President Donald Trump at the White House. The religious leaders attended the meeting on October 22. They later felt their presence was used for political purposes.
Milwaukee Archbishop Jeffrey Grob and Bishop William Joensen were among those pictured. They stood with the President near the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office. Both men stated they believed the visit was a private discussion.
Also, the bishops intended to talk about immigration and clergy visas. They also wanted to discuss the exploitation of vulnerable people. Bishop Joensen noted that he did not intend to support any political candidate.
Next, a White House official shared video footage of the event on social media. This action surprised the bishops. Archbishop Grob said the group did not give permission for the public release of these images.
After that, many congregants contacted the bishops with concerns. Some people felt hurt by the President's past policies. The bishops apologized for any distress caused to their communities by the unexpected photo opportunity.
Meanwhile, the White House defended the President's record regarding Catholic voters. Spokeswoman Taylor Rogers claimed the President has been very supportive of Catholic Americans. She did not comment on the specific concerns raised by the bishops.
Still, recent data shows a change in Catholic voter support for the President. A survey from the Pew Research Center indicates a decline in approval ratings. Many Catholics now express a preference for Democratic candidates in local races.
Finally, the relationship between the President and the Catholic Church remains tense. Some bishops have criticized current immigration policies and other administration plans. These leaders continue to advocate for compassion and the protection of immigrant families.