Bishop shares message following a meeting at the White House

by Diocese of Des Moines | October 24, 2026

A statement from Bishop William Joensen following the meeting he attended at the White House to talk about Catholic Church teaching and public policy:

I was recently invited by officials connected with the White House Faith Office to come to the Executive Office Building, along with other Catholic bishops, to discuss policies spanning a variety of issues. These issues included immigration and the exploitation of vulnerable poor persons; visas for international clergy, incentives for restorative reproductive medicine and advancement of a culture of life versus access to abortion-causing medicines; and support for private education with newly available federal tax credits.

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. 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. There was also a concluding opportunity to pray for and with our president, that God would guide his heart and impel him to lead in a way consistent with the dignity of his office. 

There are many things tied to this present Administration that are blatantly at odds with our Catholic faith.  The advance communication we received indicated that we were to have a conversation and that key officials would be interested in hearing our perspective. None of us bishops were unaware that our meeting was on the cusp of a national election.  Yet in no way did any of us intend by our involvement to endorse any political party or any individual candidate.  That said, in retrospect, I would have done well to be more mindful of Jesus’ admonition: “Behold, I am sending you like sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and simple as doves” (Matthew 10:16).  I wish I had been more shrewd and less simple, like those who exploited our meeting for partisan political purposes. 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.