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Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde's Challenge to Power: A Call for Mercy and Justice

Editorial

 
Shortly after his inauguration, President Donald Trump attended a national prayer service at the National Cathedral.  At this service, Episcopalian Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde delivered a powerful and direct message, addressing the president in light of his highly controversial first-day executive orders on immigration and gender policies.

Quoting Trump's own words about having "felt the providential hand of a loving God" and then went on to challenge him, in the name of God, to "have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared now".

Her sermon was not a political rebuke but a moral appeal for compassion toward the vulnerable and marginalized. [1]

• Mercy for those children who feared that their parents would be taken away from them. 
• Compassion for refugees fleeing wars and persecution, that they might find a place of safety in America.  
• Mercy for gay, lesbian and transgender children some of whom live in fear for their very lives.
• Above all, recognition of the inherent dignity of every human being.

The following day President Trump was publicly critical of Bishop Budde, branding her a "Radical Left hard line Trump hater" who is "not very good at her job.." He accused her of bringing her church into politics in a "very ungracious way.".  He demanded an apology.

When asked by TIME if she intended to apologise, Bishop Budde said, "I am not going to apologize for asking for mercy for others."  When questioned about whether she had received personal threats or felt endangered herself, she returned the focus on the "real" people who are in danger.  Those fearful of being deported and those of the gay and lesbian community who are prone to attacks and suicide.  "I have a lot of support and a lot of safety around me, so no, I'm not feeling personally at risk. Although people have said they do wish me dead, and that's a little heartbreaking. It was a pretty mild sermon. ..."  [2]

Courage in the Face of Power

What a brave woman, to stand before one of the most powerful people in the world and to challenge Trump to trade-in a culture of disdain for a biblical culture of mercy, compassion, and respect.  Her bravery reminds me of the Bible story of Queen Esther who risked her life to plea for her countrymen before King Ahasuerus.  " … And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?" (Esther 4:14, NIV)

A Biblical Call to Justice and Mercy

Here are just a few Bible verses that align with Bishop Budde's position.

• "He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.   And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." (Micah 6:8, NIV)
• "… From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked." (Luke 12:48, NIV)
• "Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow."  (Isaiah 1:17, NIV)  
• "Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked." (Psalm 82:3-4, NIV)
• "'When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord your God." (Leviticus 19:33-34, NIV)
• "Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' I was a stranger and you invited me in." (Matt 25:34-36, NIV)

Our Own Call to Action

Bishop Budde's stand is an inspiration not just to leaders, but to all of us. While we may not hold political power, each of us has a sphere of influence-our workplaces, schools, churches, and communities.  The call for justice, mercy and compassion is not just for those in authority-it is for all who seek to follow the example of Christ. 

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." (Galatians 6:9, NIV)

[1] https://www.npr.org/2025/01/21/nx-s1-5270031/bishop-mariann-edgar-budde-confronts-trump-in-sermon

[2] https://time.com/7209222/bishop-mariann-budde-trump/

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