Catholic bishops apologise for ‘exploited’ Trump meeting

In a statement posted online, Bishop William Joensen of Des Moines, Iowa, said the meeting was arranged by officials with the White House Faith Office to discuss issues including immigration, visas for international clergy and the “exploitation of vulnerable poor persons”.

“In no way did any of us intend by our involvement to endorse any political party or any individual candidate,” Joensen said.

“I wish I had been more shrewd and less simple, like those who exploited our meeting for partisan political purposes,” he added.

A video of the meeting was released by Margo Martin, a special assistant to the president and communications adviser who frequently shares behind-the-scenes images of Trump on social media.

Archbishop Grob said that after 90 minutes of meetings with officials, the religious leaders were ushered into the Oval Office to pray with Trump.

Grob said images of the meeting later caused concern among some of his congregants.

“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,” he wrote.

“I also heard from some who felt wounded because of the ways they or their family have been harmed by the president’s policies,” he added.

Grob said none of the participants in the meeting gave permission for the public distribution or posting of video or photos of the event