Catholic bishops now regret their recent photo op with Donald Trump at the White House, which produced a widely distributed photo and videos of them praying with the president.

In a statement titled “A Public Apology,” Milwaukee Archbishop Jeffrey Grob said Sunday that the Heritage Foundation arranged the meeting. He said the bishops were told it would be a private discussion of immigration enforcement, religious-worker visas, and human dignity, with a possible chance to pray privately with the president.

After a 90-minute discussion with White House domestic policy staff and advisors, Grob said they were ushered into the Oval Office, where Trump greeted them and handed them commemorative tokens.

“We were then directed to stand behind him and pray. After which several photos were taken, and we were ushered out. Unbeknownst to the group of bishops a video was also taken. But permission for the public distribution or posting of either the video or photos was not given by the bishops,” Grob wrote. “It did not take long thereafter for the White House to post a video and photos of the prayer. 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. I also heard from some who felt wounded because of the ways they or their family had been harmed by the president’s policies.”

“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,” he continued. “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……Please know that I have heard these concerns, understand how I caused them, and I apologize for any damage my actions have done.”

The bishop of Des Moines, Iowa, William Joensen, also issued a statement with similar sentiments.

Joensen said he was invited to the White House by officials connected with the White House Faith Office to discuss several issues including immigration, the exploitation of vulnerable poor persons, fertility treatment incentives, abortion-inducing drugs and tax credits for private schools.

He said that none of the bishops were unaware that the meeting fell close to an election.

“There are many things tied to this present Administration that are blatantly at odds with our Catholic faith,” he wrote. “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.”

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

Archbishop James Golka of Denver, another participant, told his archdiocese’s publication that he understood why many saw the video as an endorsement, but that it was “never my intention.”

“I’m heartbroken that people are hurt, and that there are people intentionally using this moment to sow disunity,” he said.

In a statement, White House spokeswoman Taylor Rogers did not address the bishops’ concerns.

“There has never been a greater president for Catholic Americans than President Trump, and his strong record proves it,” Rogers said.