Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde: A Call for Compassion and Leadership

Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde, a prominent figure in the Episcopal Church and a trailblazer in her own right, has never shied away from speaking her mind. As the first woman to lead the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, she has been a steady voice for justice and mercy, particularly during politically charged times. Recently, her direct appeal to former President Donald Trump for compassion and understanding has drawn national attention once again.

A Trailblazer in the Episcopal Church

Bishop Budde, now 65, has led the Episcopal Diocese of Washington since 2011. Her diocese includes the historic National Cathedral, a spiritual and cultural landmark in the nation’s capital. Before taking on this significant role, she spent nearly 20 years as rector of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Minneapolis.

Her path to leadership in the church began with a strong academic foundation. She is an alumna of the University of Rochester in New York. Her upbringing spanned across New Jersey and Colorado, where she cultivated values of empathy and determination. Outside of her work in the church, she enjoys simple pleasures like biking around Washington, finding solace and reflection in the city’s scenery.

Standing Up for Justice

Bishop Budde is not new to public attention, especially when it comes to her stance on social justice issues. Her recent plea to Donald Trump focused on urging him to show compassion for immigrants and members of the LGBTQ community—groups she believes are often marginalized.

The timing of her remarks was notable. She delivered her message during a prayer service hosted by her diocese the day after the presidential inauguration. It didn’t matter who had won the election; the service was meant to be a moment of unity and reflection for the country.

As Trump sat in the front row of the church, Budde closed her sermon with an emotional appeal: “I ask you to have mercy, Mr. President.” Her words, directed at Trump but intended for a broader audience, emphasized the importance of treating everyone with dignity. She highlighted the fears of immigrants and LGBTQ individuals in the face of Trump’s policies, which sought to crack down on illegal immigration and reduce federal protections for transgender people.

Her message was clear: leadership requires more than authority—it requires empathy, humility, and the ability to uplift those who feel afraid and vulnerable.

A History of Speaking Out

This wasn’t the first time Bishop Budde publicly criticized Trump. In 2020, she made headlines for her outrage over an incident at St. John’s Church, located near Lafayette Square in Washington, D.C. Trump held a Bible aloft in front of the church after law enforcement used tear gas to disperse racial justice protesters in the area.

Bishop Budde expressed her dismay in an opinion piece for The New York Times, calling Trump’s actions “outrageous” and accusing him of misusing sacred symbols while promoting policies that contradicted the Bible’s teachings. Her words resonated with many who felt similarly appalled by the incident.

An Appeal for Unity

In her recent sermon, Budde called for honesty, humility, and unity as the nation moved forward. “We were all once strangers in this land,” she reminded the congregation, quoting a biblical reference to highlight the importance of compassion for immigrants. Her sermon reflected her belief that unity cannot be achieved by mocking or dehumanizing others, but by embracing the dignity of all people.

Trump’s reaction to her remarks was telling. He reportedly looked down during her plea and later dismissed the service as “not too exciting.” In contrast, Vice President JD Vance, who was seated nearby, appeared to listen intently, raising his eyebrows at her comments.

When asked about Trump’s reaction during a phone interview, Bishop Budde declined to comment. Her focus, she explained, was not on calling out Trump personally but on addressing the fear she had witnessed in vulnerable communities. “I was trying to say: The country has been entrusted to you,” she said, emphasizing that mercy is a key quality of effective leadership.

Beyond One Leader

While her message was directed at Trump, Budde hoped it would resonate with others as well. Her words served as a reminder that society as a whole must prioritize compassion and care for marginalized groups.

Recent polls show that a significant portion of Americans support strict measures like deporting unauthorized immigrants, highlighting the challenges the nation faces in fostering unity and understanding. Budde’s call for mercy was a counterpoint to this divisiveness—a plea to see the humanity in everyone.

A Voice for Hope

Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde’s leadership has been defined by her courage to speak truth to power. Whether addressing racial justice, LGBTQ rights, or immigration issues, she has consistently used her platform to advocate for the voiceless.

In a time when political and social divides run deep, her message of mercy and unity offers a powerful reminder: true leadership is about lifting others up, especially those most in need of compassion.