Who is Mariann Edgar Budde? The Bishop whose plea for LGBTQ rights and immigrants riled Donald Trump
Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde, the first woman to serve as the spiritual leader of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, has long been an advocate for social justice. Her most recent public statement, urging President Donald Trump to show mercy to vulnerable communities during the 2021 inaugural prayer service, has sparked both praise and controversy.
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Bishop Budde, 65, has served as the spiritual leader of Washington's Episcopal Diocese since 2011, overseeing 86 congregations and 10 schools across the District of Columbia and nearby Maryland counties. She is also the chair of the Protestant Episcopal Cathedral Foundation, which governs the Washington National Cathedral. Throughout her career, she has been outspoken on issues such as racial equity, gun violence prevention, LGBTQ+ inclusion, and immigration reform.
In a statement during the inaugural prayer service, the Bishop directly appealed to President Trump: “In the name of our God, I ask you to have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared now.” She specifically referenced the LGBTQ+ community and immigrants, urging the president to remember their dignity and humanity.
«Let me make one final plea, Mr. President,» she said. «Millions have put their trust in you. And as you told the nation yesterday, you have felt
