Two Catholic bishops who participated in a prayer gathering with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office have expressed regret over the event, criticizing the White House for using the moment as a political tool ahead of next week’s U.S. elections.

Archbishop Jeffrey Grob of Milwaukee and Bishop William Joensen of Des Moines, both among 12 bishops who met with administration officials last Thursday, released separate statements over the weekend addressing their concerns. The controversy arose after the White House circulated photos and video footage of the prayer meeting on social media platforms, prompting the clergy members to reconsider their involvement.

In his statement titled “A Public Apology,” Archbishop Grob conveyed that he wished he had paid closer attention to his initial reservations about participating in the Oval Office gathering. He suggested that the moment had been appropriated for campaign purposes rather than remaining a private religious act.

Bishop Joensen further voiced his disapproval in a separate message, indicating that various actions associated with the current administration conflict with fundamental Catholic teachings. He did not specify which policies or behaviors he found objectionable but emphasized the tension between the administration’s positions and the values of the Catholic faith.

The event involved a dozen bishops who were meeting with officials at the White House, during which they shared in a brief prayer with the president. However, the subsequent posting of that encounter on official social media channels sparked debate about the appropriateness of using religious moments in a political context, especially during an election season.

Both bishops’ statements highlight a broader concern among some religious leaders regarding the intersection of faith and politics, underscoring the challenges of maintaining spiritual integrity amid heightened political campaigning. The White House has not publicly responded to the bishops’ comments.

The prayers and photographs came at a time of intense national focus as voters prepare to cast ballots in a highly contested presidential race. The incident reflects ongoing tensions over the role of religion in public political discourse in the United States.