Two bishops express regret after Oval Office prayer over Trump
Nuns' letter and Catholic critics press the dozen prelates; the bishops' conference says it had no part
WASHINGTON — Twelve U.S. Catholic bishops, led by Denver Archbishop James Golka, laid hands on President Trump in the Oval Office on Oct. 22, 12 days before the midterms. The White House Faith Office hosted the visit, and the bishops say they discussed religious freedom, school choice, religious visas and life issues. The bishops' conference says it neither organized nor joined the event. Denver's archdiocese says praying for officeholders is long-standing practice and not an endorsement. Since then, Milwaukee Archbishop Jeffrey Grob has issued a public apology, and Des Moines Bishop William Joensen has said he wishes he had been wiser about how the meeting would be used, according to National Catholic Reporter. An open letter from Sisters of Charity asks the bishops to apologize to the faithful and to Pope Leo. It is reported to have about 2,500 signatures. The Pillar reports a Heritage Foundation official recruited the bishops; that account comes from unnamed sources.
Why it mattersThe episode tests the church's stated nonpartisanship in the final days of an election in which Catholic voters are closely contested.
