An Episcopal priest's public admonition of President Trump on immigration and transgender issues highlights a clash of worldviews and, the president's defenders say, signifies the decline of a Christian sect. The comments by the Right Rev. Marian Budde, Bishop of the Episcopal Church of Washington, were made Tuesday during an interfaith service at the National Cathedral with President Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance in attendance and a large audience watching on television. It was announced on.
A clip of her comment went viral on social media.
“Mr. President, millions of people have placed their trust in you, and as you told the nation yesterday, you have felt the hand of a loving providence,” she said, echoing Trump's words. he said to. “In the name of our God, please have mercy on the people of this country who are scared right now. There are gay, lesbian, and transgender children in Democratic, Republican, and Independent families, some of whom are Some people feel their lives are in danger.” ”
Mr. Budde then turned his attention to the issue of immigration.
“And then there are the people who harvest crops, clean office buildings, work in poultry farms and meat-packing plants, wash dishes after eating at restaurants, and work night shifts in hospitals.” she said. “They may not be citizens or they may not have the proper documentation, but majority of Immigrants are not criminals. They pay taxes and are good neighbors. ”
Southern Baptist Theological Seminary President Albert Mohler said the bishop's comments represent the position of the Episcopal Church.
“Many on the left would say this is simply speaking truth to power in sixties terms, but we actually Witness liberal, very liberal Episcopalism in direct conflict with President Trump and the Trump administration,” Mohler said on the podcast. briefingg.
“She said to the president, fundamentally He's the voice of liberal culture,” Mohler said. However, you also need to perform your logic differently. you facing For example, depending on this Anglican bishop's views on sexuality and gender, you should know: is based on Building on the previous revolution to theological liberalism. all theseof course, We return to doctrines as basic as the doctrines of God and the doctrines of the Bible. Everything else after that simply follows. liberal You're a liberal at the beginning, you're a liberal at the end, and you're always liberal in the middle. ”
Fox News' Brit Hume also criticized the bishop's words.
“She definitely thought she was 'speaking truth to power,'” Hume said. said. “She was almost certainly driving more people out of the dying Episcopal church. I went to school on that property and graduated in a ceremony in that cathedral. I don't want to see this happen.”
She undoubtedly thought she was “speaking truth to power.” She was almost certainly driving more people out of the dying Episcopal church. I attended school on the grounds and graduated in a ceremony in its cathedral. I hate seeing this. https://t.co/WFFFOj8Cy
— Brit Hume (@brithume) January 21, 2025
The Episcopal Church has experienced a significant decline in membership, from about 3.4 million in the 1960s to less than 1.6 million in recent years.
U.S. Rep. Andy Barr (R-Ky.) also condemned Bishop's comments.
“As a conservative Episcopalian who supports President Trump and his policies, I am deeply disappointed by Bishop Marian Budde's political use of today's First National Prayer Service,” Barr said. “President Trump nominated Scott Bessent, a brilliant and openly gay man, as Secretary of the Treasury, and Elon Musk, a genius first-generation legal immigrant, to head the new Department of Government Efficiency. Bishop Budde's unwarranted criticism rings hollow.''Sadly, the only message Bishop Budde conveyed to the president through his unwelcome and hypocritical words was that the Episcopal Church That was it. Church's motto, “Everyone is welcome,'' does not seem to apply to the majority of Americans who voted for Donald Trump. ”
As a conservative Episcopalian who supports President Trump and his policies, I am deeply disappointed in Bishop Marian Budde's politicization of today's First National Prayer Service. By ignoring President Trump's talented and public appointment of Scott Bessent…
— Congressman Andy Barr (@RepAndyBarr) January 22, 2025
President Trump said on Truth Social that the bishop should apologize.
“She failed to mention the large numbers of illegal immigrants who have entered our country and killed people,” Trump wrote. “Many are being booked out of prisons and psychiatric hospitals. This is a huge crime wave happening in the United States. Apart from her inappropriate remarks, the service was: very boring and uninspiring. She's not very good at her job. She and her church owe the people an apology!”
The so-called bishop who spoke at the National Prayer Meeting on Tuesday morning was a hard-liner on the radical left who hates Trump. She brought her church into politics in a very disrespectful way. She had a bad tone, was neither persuasive nor intelligent. She didn't mention…
— Posts from Donald J. Trump's Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) January 22, 2025
On Monday, President Trump signed an executive order on immigration and gender. The Gender Executive Order clearly states, “It is the policy of the United States to recognize the two genders, male and female.''
Photo courtesy: ©X/CSPAN
michael faust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His articles have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, Christian Post, Leaf Chronicle, Toronto Star, and Knoxville News Sentinel.
Listen to Michael's podcast! he is the host of crosswalk talka podcast where he speaks with Christian movie stars, musicians, directors, and more. Hear how famous Christians are making their faith a priority in Hollywood, and discover the best Christian movies, books, TV and other entertainment. can be found crosswalk talk above LifeAudio.comor subscribe at apple or spotify So, never miss an interview that is sure to encourage your faith.
First publication date is January 22, 2025.
