Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde, the second woman to lead the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, has sparked conversations and dialogues after urging Donald Trump to “have forgiveness” toward refugees and LGBTQ people during President Donald Trump‘s annual worship service. Her comment drew acclaim from some hailing her courage and bravery to talk up but it also angered some MAGAs who claimed that the Bishop crossed a line.
During the meeting, Budde explained her decision to target the president immediately, citing the pervasive anxiety she had witnessed, stating” of the fear that I have seen and experienced among our people– people that I know and love, both within the expat community and within the LGBTQ community, and how terrified so many are. “
She expressed her concerns about the increasing antagonism that specific individuals now feel empowered to show, noting” the level of certificate to be really very violent. “
Budde clarified her motives, explaining that her goal was not to denounce the president. She elaborated,” I wasn’t actually calling the president up. I was trying to say,’ The region has been entrusted to you. ‘” She emphasised that management requires kindness, adding,” And one of the characteristics of a head is kindness, right? Mercy. And to be wary of the people who are scared. “
Who is Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde?
Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde, 65, is the first woman to lead the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, a position she has held since 2011.
She is the spiritual head for 86 Episcopal churches and 10 Catholic institutions across the District of Columbia and four Maryland regions. She is the first female elected to this position and serves as the head of the Protestant Episcopal Cathedral Foundation, overseeing the Washington National Cathedral and its institutions, according to the Episcopal Diocese of Washington’s site.
She is a vocal advocate for social problems such as cultural capital, gun crime prevention, immigration transformation, LGBTQ+ participation, and economic management.
Bishop Budde was consecrated as the eighth priest of Washington in November 2011, following 18 years as pastor of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Minneapolis. She holds a BA in history from the University of Rochester ( magna cum laude ) and both a Master of Divinity ( 1989 ) and a Doctor of Ministry ( 2008 ) from Virginia Theological Seminary.
She has published three books: How We Learn to Be Brave: Decisive Moments in Life and Faith ( 2023 ), Receiving Jesus: The Way of Love ( 2019 ), and Gathering Up the Fragments: Preaching as Spiritual Practice ( 2007 ).
Outside of her department, she enjoys biking, spending time with family, and cooking for companions. Bishop Budde and her husband, Paul, have two adult sons, Amos ( married to Erika ) and Patrick, and they are proud grandparents, according to the Episcopal Diocese of Washington.
Why are MAGAs furious at Bishop Budde?
As the the Bishop’s appeal went viral, some Trump helps jumped to social media to criticse the Bishop accusing her of overstepping boundaries and/or making the speech “political”.
Donald Trump himself took to his platform Truth Social to bash Bishop Budde calling for an apology. He said,” The so-called Bishop who spoke at the National Prayer Service on Tuesday morning was a Radical Left hard line Trump hater. She brought her church into the World of politics in a very ungracious way. She was nasty in tone, and not compelling or smart. She failed to mention the large number of illegal migrants that came into our Country and killed people. Many were deposited from jails and mental institutions. It is a giant crime wave that is taking place in the USA. Apart from her inappropriate statements, the service was a very boring and uninspiring one. She is not very good at her job! She and her church owe the public an apology! “
Rep. Mike Collins called for her deportation. ” The person giving this sermon should be added to the deportation list,” he said.
Staunch Republican Ben Shapiro also jumped to X to criticise the Bishop himself and shared several others bashing her too. ” The Left’s hollowing out of the church is perhaps the single most dangerous change over the course of the last half-century. Left-wing radicalism wearing around the flesh mask of Biblical values. Reverse it. Now,” he said.
” He’s being nice. It was disgraceful. She embarrassed herself,” said said CEO of Turning Point USA.
” Just disgraceful. A fake bishop abusing her ceremonial role to attack the president and vice president with liberal propaganda. Trump should never return to that Cathedral,” said a Fox News Co-host.
Many others also took to X to criticise the Bishop calling for action against her or expressing their anger for targeting Trump in a Church. Even a petition was started calling for accountability from her, while calling for her termination.
