A Roman Catholic bishop who recently visited the White House says a trip by a group of bishops has been exploited for political purposes.

Bishop William Joensen of the Diocese of Des Moines said in 24 October statement that the 22 October visit by 12 bishops was not intended "to endorse any political party." The visit came as early voting was underway in Iowa and other states ahead of the midterm elections.

Bishop William said the delegation was aware that the visit came on the "cusp of a national election" but had been told that "key officials" were interested in hearing from the clergy.

"As a bishop, I am frequently called upon to engage people whose positions and actions are not aligned with the Church’s teachings, including local and higher-level elected officials," he said. "I regarded this invitation as a distinct opportunity on the Memorial of St. John Paul II to bring the Gospel and the Church’s teachings to bear on contemporary matters that impact people in our Diocese and beyond." 

Bishop William said many actions taken by the Trump administration "are blatantly at odds with our Catholic faith," and added that in retrospect, he would have been more mindful about attending the meeting. He likened the meeting to a verse in the Gospel of Matthew about being like sheep "in the midst of wolves."

"I wish I had been more shrewd and less simple, like those who exploited our meeting for partisan political purposes," he said in the statement. "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."

The visit prompted criticism from some within the Catholic Church, including the Sisters of Charity of New York. In an Instagram statement, the nuns rebuked the bishops for "what appears to have been missing from their public witness."

They said: "Where was the concern for the poor? For immigrant families being torn apart? For those suffering beneath the violence of war? For the marginalized whose dignity is threatened? For Christianity being distorted into an instrument of political power?These are not partisan concerns. They are Gospel concerns."

Milwaukee Archbishop Jeffrey Grob said in a statement on Sunday that the Heritage Foundation arranged the visit and that the bishops expected a "private discussion," a possible appearance by several Catholic members of President Donald Trump's Cabinet and an "opportunity to pray privately with the president."

The bishops met with White House staff and advisers before going into the Oval Office, where Trump greeted them and gave them commemorative tokens, Grob said. The Catholic leaders were directed to stand behind him and pray, and staff took several photos before the bishops were ushered out.

A video of the prayer was posted on social media by Margo Martin, a special assistant and communications adviser to Trump. Grob said the video was published "without the consent of the participants."

Grob said that after the video was published, he received messages that he "inadvertently participated in a political event." He said the group "should never have been put in that position by the White House."

"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 said. "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." 

White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers told USA TODAY that "there has never been a greater president for Catholic Americans" than Trump. The response did not address the bishops’ criticism of the White House visit.

A recent Pew Research Center survey found that Trump's approval ratings among members of every religious group are among the lowest of his second term. Among US Catholics, his approval rating fell from 47% in January 2025 to 30%.

Reporting by Premier Christian News and USA TODAY Network / Des Moines Register