Bishop Budde’s Call for Mercy: A National Prayer Service sermon Sparks Controversy
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Teh inaugural National Prayer Service, a time-honored tradition welcoming new presidents, took an unexpected turn when Bishop Mariann Budde of Washington directly addressed President Donald Trump, urging him to extend “mercy upon” communities targeted by his governance’s policies. The sermon, delivered at the washington National Cathedral, drew a sharp response from the president.
Bishop Budde’s words resonated wiht those fearing the impact of Trump’s early executive actions. In her address, she declared, “There are gay, lesbian and transgender children in Democratic, Republican and self-reliant families, some who fear for their lives.”
Acknowledging Trump’s own narrative of divine intervention, she said, “You have felt the providential hand of a loving God,” which appeared to be a direct reference to Trump’s inaugural address where he claimed God had protected him from an assassin’s bullet. She continued, “In the name of our God, I ask you to have mercy on the people in our country who are scared now.”
These direct words, delivered in front of a stone-faced President Trump, sparked immediate controversy. While the service was intended to be a unifying gathering, Budde’s sermon injected a sharp dose of political reality.
Trump’s response was swift and dismissive. He labelled the sermon “not too exciting” and later on his Truth Social platform, he declared, ”The so-called Bishop who spoke at the National Prayer Service on Tuesday morning was a Radical Left hard line trump hater. She was nasty in tone, and not compelling or smart … She and her church owe the public an apology!”
The Bishop’s commentary came on the heels of trump’s executive orders that rolled back protections for transgender Americans and sought to implement mass deportation policies. One executive order specifically aimed to limit gender recognition to “two sexes – male and female.”
Budde’s sermon directly challenged these policies, stating, ”The vast majority of immigrants are not criminals. They pay taxes, and are good neighbours.They are faithful members of our churches, mosques and synagogues, gurdwara and temples. Our God teaches us that we are to be merciful to the stranger, for we were once strangers in this land.”
The fallout from Budde’s sermon highlights the increasingly divisive political climate in America. The incident also underscores the complex intersection of faith and politics, particularly during times of significant social and cultural change.
– The Guardian
How does Bishop Budde see her role in addressing the divisive political climate in America?
Bishop Budde: A Voice for Compassion and Unity in Divisive Times
An Interview with Bishop Mariann Budde
:</strong> Bishop Budde,your sermon at the National Prayer service sparked a national conversation. What inspired you to directly address President Trump and his policies?</p>
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<h4>Bishop Budde (BB):</strong> A couple of things inspired me. First, I was guided by the Spirit to speak out of my faith tradition, which calls us to love and care for the vulnerable. I saw many people feeling bomberby recent developments, and I felt compelled to voice our shared concerns.</p>
<p>Second, I take seriously the welcoming aspect of our tradition.We’re called to welcome the stranger, care for the poor, and embrace people regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.That welcome should permeate all aspects of our society.</p>
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<h3>A:</strong> Your sermon followed president trump’s executive orders on immigration and LGBTQ+ rights. How do you think thes policies align with your faith?</p>
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<h4>BB:</strong> As people of faith, we’re called to treat others as we would want to be treated. These executive orders, especially those targeting immigrants and the LGBTQ+ community, seem to go against that fundamental principle. They cause fear and uncertainty, which is not in line with the God of love and mercy we worship.</p>
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<h3>A:</strong> The President dismissed your sermon as “not exciting” and accused you of being a “radical left, hardline Trump hater.” How do you respond to these comments?</p>
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<h4>BB:</strong> I would respond with love and concern. I pray for the President and his governance every day. I believe we’re all seeking the best for our country, but I disagree with his interpretation of what’s best. My goal was to call our nation to a higher standard, to be more compassionate and merciful, not to attack the President personally.</p>
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<h3>A:</strong> Many see your sermon as a sign of our increasingly divisive political climate. How can faith help bridge these divides?</p>
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<h4>BB:</strong> Faith can help bridge divides by reminding us of our common humanity and our shared need for mercy and forgiveness. It calls us to love our neighbor, even when we disagree with them. We won’t all agree on every issue,but if we can start from a place of love and respect,we can make progress. That’s what jesus modeled for us.</p>
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<h3>A:</strong> What do you say to those who believe faith and politics should be kept separate?</p>
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<h4>BB:</strong> I would say that faith is personal, but it’s not private. Our faith shapes how we see the world and our role in it. As people of faith, we can’t help but be guided by our beliefs in how we engage in public life.We should always be respectful and civil,but we can’t check our faith at the door when we enter the public sphere.</p>
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<h3>A:</strong> what would you like to see happen next? How can people respond to your call for mercy?</p>
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<h4>BB:</strong> I would like to see us come together as a nation, seeking common ground and working towards a more just and compassionate society. We all have a role to play, whether it’s through advocacy, service, or simply listening to and learning from one another. If we can start with mercy, I believe we can heal our political and social divides.</p><div class=)
