Milwaukee Archbishop Grob apologizes for role in White House prayer meeting
Archbishop Jeffrey Grob of Milwaukee has issued a public apology for his participation in an October 22 meeting of bishops at the White House, saying he never intended to endorse President Donald Trump or his policies.
Archbishop Jeffrey Grob of Milwaukee has issued what he called a « public apology » for his part in an October 22 meeting of bishops at the White House. In a statement released on Sunday, Grob said he had regretted the confusion and hurt the event caused among the people entrusted to his pastoral care, and he stressed that the gathering « was in no way an endorsement of the president, his policies, or his party. »
Grob said he had received many questions and comments in recent days about the meeting, which he attended together with 11 other bishops. According to his account, the administration publicized the gathering soon afterward without the consent of the participants. He said he had issued an earlier statement on October 25 to provide context, and that his « intention was never to cause confusion, anger, or disappointment » among those he serves.
Grob explained that he had been invited along with other bishops to discuss « matters of importance to the Church and our people, including immigration enforcement, religious worker visas, and human dignity. » The meeting was the second of two such gatherings organized by the Heritage Foundation. The bishops were told it would be a private discussion, that several Catholic members of the cabinet might appear, and that there could be an opportunity to pray privately with the president.
After roughly an hour and a half with White House staff and policy advisers, the group entered the Oval Office, where President Donald Trump greeted them. Grob said the bishops received commemorative tokens and were then directed to stand behind the president to pray, after which photographs were taken. He said the group was unaware that a video was also being recorded, and that the bishops had not given permission for either the video or the photographs to be distributed or posted publicly. Shortly afterward, images and footage of the prayer appeared online.
Grob said he then began receiving messages expressing serious concern that he had inadvertently taken part in a political event less than two weeks before a national election. He also said some people felt wounded because they or their families had been harmed by the president's policies. « I feel a heavy sadness, not only over the pain I caused, but also for the fact that something so sacred to a group of religious leaders, prayer to our Heavenly Father, would be manipulated in that way, » he said.
Grob wrote that the bishops had come in good faith to work for the wellbeing of others, to ease suffering and to build up the common good, and to pray with a president rather than to pose for a political photo opportunity. He added that the group should never have been placed in that position by the White House. He concluded that he had not attended « without reservations » and wished he had heeded them. « I apologize for any damage my actions have done, » he said.
Grob's statement follows remarks from another participant, Denver Archbishop James Golka, who led the prayer in the Oval Office and defended his involvement. In comments to the Denver Catholic on October 23, Golka said he « knew people might be upset » and that the event could be used for political purposes, but that he believed Catholics pray for people and for their country and leaders regardless of whether they agree with them. Golka also denied that the meeting endorsed the president or his policies, adding that the bishops of the United States teach that the Church cannot champion any candidate or party.
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