Catholic leaders filmed praying over President Donald Trump in the Oval Office last week have accused the White House of exploiting the moment for political purposes just days before the 2026 midterm elections.

Milwaukee Archbishop Jeffrey S. Grob issued a lengthy public apology following backlash over the clip, which was shared online by Trump aide Margo Martin. Des Moines Bishop William Joensen accused those involved of exploiting the meeting “for partisan political purposes.”

“Please know that my intention was never to cause confusion, anger, or disappointment among the people entrusted to my care,” said Grob, stressing that the meeting of Catholic archbishops and bishops, organized by the right-wing Heritage Foundation think tank, “was in no way an endorsement of the president, his policies, or his party.”

Grob explained that he had wrestled with whether to attend the gathering, which was intended “to discuss matters of importance to the Church and our people, including immigration enforcement, religious worker visas, and human dignity.”

He “ultimately felt that, if I had the opportunity to offer my voice in a way that might improve the lives of God’s children, I ought to take it,” he said.

Following “a 90-minute discussion with White House domestic policy staff and advisors,” Grob said, the religious leaders “were eventually ushered into the Oval Office” and “directed to stand” behind Trump and pray.

A video was filmed “unbeknownst to the group of bishops,” according to Grob, who said they did not give permission for it to be distributed.

“It did not take long thereafter for the White House to post a video and photos of the prayer. I soon began receiving messages of serious concern over the possibility that I had inadvertently participated in a political event less than two weeks before a national election. I also heard from some who felt wounded because of the ways they or their family had been harmed by the president’s policies,” he said.

“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,” Grob continued. “We came in good faith to try to work for the betterment of our fellow human beings, to ease their suffering, to build up the common good, and to pray with a president, not to pose for a political photo opportunity to benefit the few. “

“We should never have been put in that position by the White House. I did not go without reservations. I wish I had heeded them. Please know that I have heard these concerns, understand how I caused them, and I apologize for any damage my actions have done,” he concluded.

Joensen expressed similar concerns, stressing that “in no way did any of us intend by our involvement to endorse any political party or any individual candidate.”

“That said, in retrospect, I would have done well to be more mindful of Jesus’ admonition: ‘Behold, I am sending you like sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and simple as doves’ (Matthew 10:16),” he wrote.

“I wish I had been more shrewd and less simple, like those who exploited our meeting for partisan political purposes,” he concluded. “I pray I am more prudent and wise going forward, even as I remain resolute in my openness to engaging and praying for political leaders at all levels.”

Denver Archbishop James Golka, who led the prayer with Trump, struck a different tone, saying he knew the meeting “could be shared and that some might use it for political purposes.”

“I understand that many people saw the video, posted by the Administration twelve days before an election, as an endorsement. That was never my intention,” he said, adding: “I’m heartbroken that people are hurt, and that there are people intentionally using this moment to sow disunity. That’s not a fruit of the Spirit.”