US Catholic bishops accuse the Trump White House of exploiting their Oval Office prayer for midterm political gain
Milwaukee Archbishop Jeffrey Grob says the Heritage Foundation-organised meeting was meant to be private, with the White House refusing to confirm whether bishops' consent was sought.
Milwaukee Archbishop Jeffrey Grob issued 'A Public Apology' on Sunday, saying the White House released the footage without the participants' consent. Bishop William Joensen of Des Moines said he wished he had been 'more shrewd and less simple'. Asked whether it had permission, the White House press office refused to answer. Spokeswoman Taylor Rogers said there has 'never been a greater president for Catholic Americans'.
Grob says he believed the Heritage Foundation-organised meeting would be private.
Denver's Archbishop James Golka, who led the prayer, said an endorsement 'was never my intention'.
Grob had co-signed a bishops' statement criticising Trump's immigration policies earlier this year.
