Follow-up: Milwaukee Archbishop Apologizes for White House Visit, Says Prayer Was Used
On October 25, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported that Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Archbishop Jeffrey Grob has publicly apologized for his earlier visit to the White House, saying the meeting was "in no way an endorsement of the president, his policies or his party," and that he had reservations about the meeting and wished he had listened to them. Grob said he felt "heavy sadness," not only for the pain he caused but because "such a sacred prayer was used in this way." In video released by the White House, Grob stands behind the president with eyes closed and head bowed, while Denver Archbishop James Golka places a hand on the president's shoulder and leads the prayer. Golka recently told Denver Catholic magazine that he, too, had reservations about the meeting, and that many people viewed the video — released by the White House 12 days before the election — as an endorsement, which "was never my intention"; he said he was heartbroken that anyone would deliberately exploit the moment to sow division. Other bishops at the meeting came from dioceses including Rapid City, South Dakota; Dallas, Texas; Des Moines, Iowa; and Birmingham, Alabama. A White House spokesperson previously responded that the president has a notable record of defending Christians' rights.
Related: Milwaukee Archbishop Grob and About Ten Bishops Pray for Trump in the White House Oval Office
Source: GSM·USA
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 密尔沃基总主教杰弗里·格罗布（资料图）。图片来源：Catholic Laitinen / Wikimedia Commons，CC0。Milwaukee Archbishop Jeffrey Grob (file photo). Photo: Catholic Laitinen / Wikimedia Commons, CC0.
- 2026-10-22Milwaukee Archbishop Grob and About Ten Bishops Pray for Trump in the White House Oval Office
- 2026-10-23Follow-Up: U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Says It Is Not Linked to the White House Oval Office Prayer Event
- 2026-10-25Follow-up: Milwaukee Archbishop Apologizes for White House Visit, Says Prayer Was UsedThis story
- 2026-10-26Follow-Up: Sisters of Charity of New York Open Letter Asks 12 Bishops to Publicly Apologize Over White House Prayer
- 2026-10-28Follow-Up: White House Responds to Bishops' Prayer Controversy, Citing Trump's Record for Catholics, Declines to Answer on Consent
