The Right Rev. Marian Edgar Budde made headlines this week when he used his homily to plead with Donald Trump for “mercy” on immigrants and LGBTQ+ people at the opening of the National Cathedral prayer service on Tuesday.
Budde, 65, is First woman to serve As spiritual leader of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington. She has been leading the diocese since her election in 2011. Prior to that, he served as rector of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Minneapolis for 18 years.
On Tuesday, he urged Trump during his speech to show mercy to “gay, gay and transgender children” of all political backgrounds, some of whom, he said, “Fearing for their lives”.
He also used his sermon to ask that Trump show mercy to families who fear deportation and help those fleeing war and persecution.
He emphasized the contribution of immigrants, telling the president: “The majority of immigrants are not criminals,” adding that they are “good neighbors” and “faithful to our churches, mosques and synagogues, gurudwaras and temples.” were members”.
“Our God teaches us to have mercy on strangers, because we were once strangers in this land,” he said.
This isn’t the first time Bade has clashed with Trump.
During Trump’s first term, Bade published an opinion piece. The New York Times. In a June 2020 article, he expressed outrage at Trump’s appearance in front of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Washington, D.C., after federal officers dispersed a crowd of peaceful protesters demonstrating against George’s death. held up a Bible for a picture after using the force to Floyd.
Bade wrote that Trump had “used sacred symbols to cloak himself in spiritual authority, while espousing anti-Biblical positions he held”.
That same month, he was interviewed by ABC News and described that he had “stopped talking to President Trump”, adding: “We need to change President Trump.”
“We need a leadership that will lead us in the direction that this country deserves,” he said.
At the moment on his social media, he too Expressed His support for those seeking justice for Floyd’s death through the “sacred act of peaceful protest.”
Budde is described “As an advocate and organizer in support of justice concerns including racial equality, gun violence prevention, immigration reform, full inclusion of LGBTQ+ individuals, and care for creation,” on the Episcopal Diocese of Washington website.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Rochester, graduating magna cum laude. Budde also earned both a Master of Divinity and a Doctor of Ministry from Virginia Theological Seminary. She and her husband Paul have two grown sons and are also grandparents.
In addition to his ministerial responsibilities, Bade has authored three books – How We Learn to Be Brave: Decisive Moments in Life and Faith, Receiving Jesus: The Way of Love, and Gathering the Fragments: As a Spiritual Practice. preaching
Just a day after delivering his remarks to Trump, Bade. said Wednesday morning on The View that his responsibility on Tuesday was to think and “pray for unity with the nation.”
“When I was thinking about the foundations of unity, I wanted to emphasize the respect and dignity of every human being, basic honesty and humility,” she said.
“And then I also realized that unity requires a certain amount of kindness and compassion and understanding.”
She added: “Knowing that many people in our country are really scared right now, I wanted to say in the context of this service for unity that we need to treat everyone with respect, And we need compassion. I was trying to counter that narrative that is so divisive and polarizing, and that hurts people, real people.”
