(Photo from x.com/MargoMartin47) ","tags":["photography","social media"]
A U.S. bishop apologized after photos showing him and a group of clergy praying with Donald Trump at the White House were released, sparking criticism of political partisanship."","tags":["bishop","Donald Trump","White House","politics"]
On 26 Oct 2026, two U.S. Catholic bishops expressed regret and apologized after photos and videos of them praying with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office were made public, leading to criticism that the clergy showed political support."","tags":["Catholic Church","apology","political controversy"]
The meeting took place on 22 Oct to discuss immigration, visas for foreign clergy, and care for the poor before video clips were shared via the X account of Marco Martin, Trump's communications assistant and advisor."","tags":["immigration","clergy visas","White House meeting"]
Archbishop Jeffrey Grob of Milwaukee said he believed the meeting with Trump was private, not a politically staged photo op, and no participant authorized the release of any images or videos."","tags":["Archbishop Jeffrey Grob","privacy","political staging"]
“Soon I began receiving messages expressing serious concern about the possibility that I had unintentionally taken part in a political event just under two weeks before the national election,” Archbishop Grob said. “I also heard from some who were hurt by how they, their children, or families were affected by the president’s policies.”"","tags":["Archbishop Jeffrey Grob","public reaction","election concerns"]
Bishop William Joensen of Des Moines said, “None of us intended to use our participation to endorse any political party or candidate.”"","tags":["Bishop William Joensen","political neutrality"]
“I wish I had been wiser and less naïve like those who exploited our meeting for one side’s political gain,” he added."","tags":["Bishop William Joensen","regret","political exploitation"]
White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers did not directly answer questions about the photo release but stated, “For American Catholics, no president has been better than President Trump.”"","tags":["White House","Taylor Rogers","Trump support"]
Previously, Donald Trump had a tense relationship with the Catholic Church, clashing with Pope Leo XIV and U.S. bishops over immigration enforcement policies viewed as fear-inducing, family-dividing, and contrary to religious teachings of compassion."","tags":["Trump","Catholic Church","immigration policy"]
Beyond immigration, the U.S. Catholic Bishops’ Conference criticized Trump’s plan to broadcast the execution of a prisoner, which was ultimately canceled due to negative public reaction."","tags":["U.S. Catholic Bishops","execution broadcast","public criticism"]
A Pew Research Center poll found Trump’s approval among Catholics dropped to 30% from 47% when he took office in 2025, potentially impacting the midterm elections scheduled for 3 Nov."","tags":["Pew Research Center","Trump approval","Catholics","midterm elections"]},{