Catholic bishops pray over Trump in Oval Office days before midterms

A group of Catholic archbishops and bishops led by Denver Archbishop James Golka prayed over President Donald Trump in the Oval Office on Oct. 22, less than two weeks before the midterm elections. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops said it had no role in the meeting.

A group of Catholic archbishops and bishops prayed over President Donald Trump in the Oval Office on Wednesday, Oct. 22, less than two weeks before the Nov. 3 midterm elections. A short video released by the White House shows the prelates standing around Trump at the Resolute Desk, some placing a hand on his shoulder, as Denver Archbishop James Golka leads the prayer.

Golka thanked God for "the gift of our beautiful nation, the gift of our government, and the gift of this office of the presidency" and invoked the Holy Spirit to "protect us against any influence of evil."

Who attended

Besides Golka, the group included Milwaukee Archbishop Jeffrey Grob, Archbishop Emeritus Joseph Naumann of Kansas City, Kansas, Bishop Edward Burns of Dallas, Bishop James Wall of Gallup, New Mexico, Bishop William Joensen of Des Moines, Iowa, Bishop Michael Barber of Oakland, California, and Maronite Bishop Abdallah Elias Zaidan of Los Angeles. Trump's longtime spiritual adviser Paula White-Cain was also present.

White House Faith Director Jenny Korn said the meeting, organized by the White House Faith Office, covered religious freedom, school choice, religious visas and life policy. She described it as "not politics" but "policy in action ending with meaningful prayer with and for the president."

Bishops' conference says it had no role

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops said it was not involved. "This was not something that the USCCB organized. It is not affiliated with the Conference," spokesperson Chieko Noguchi said. The Archdiocese of Denver said the prayer was not an endorsement of any candidate or party. The bishops and the administration have found common ground on religious liberty and some anti-abortion initiatives but have clashed over mass deportations and other policies.

Catholic bishops pray over Trump in Oval Office days before midterms