By Jada Ingleton | The Washington Informer | Word In Black
(WIB) – During the National Prayer Service, held the day after the Jan. 20 inauguration, the Rt. Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, shocked the nation with a direct plea to President Donald Trump on behalf of youth, the LGBTQIA+ community and immigrants. The bold move has sparked controversy among many conservatives, while empowering others and igniting conversation in the faith community about the role of activism from the pulpit.
“There are gay, lesbian and transgender children in Democratic, Republican and independent families, some who fear for their lives,” Budde said to a glaring President Trump at the National Cathedral on Jan. 21.
Her sermon came approximately 24 hours after Trump’s first day in office consisted of signing executive orders that would: eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) and federally recognize “two sexes, male and female.”
After Trump, also on his first day, restored the “Remain in Mexico” policy from his first presidential term, and called for immigration officers to ramp up mass deportation of unauthorized individuals, the bishop asked for mercy for immigrants. She said that while some may not be citizens or have appropriate documentation, “the vast majority of immigrants are not criminals.”
The president referred to Budde as a “so-called Bishop” and “Radical Left hard line Trump hater” who is “not very good at her job” in a post to Truth Social on Jan. 22. He further condemned her approach as ungracious and demanded an apology, which the Episocal bishop told Time she “refuses to give.”
Despite Trump’s displeasure with her delivery, many people, like the Rev. Mark A. Thompson and the Rt. Rev. Paula Clark, have celebrated Budde’s act as courageous.
“Bishop Budde demonstrated a prophetic witness and speaking truth to power,” said Thompson, who also serves as the global digital transformation director for the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA). “We should all admire her courage and her calling.”
Having served as Canon to the Ordinary under Budde before becoming bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago, Clark said she was particularly proud to see her former boss and now colleague emphasizing the power of spreading love to all creation.
“I was very thankful for Bishop Mariann Budde’s sermon, which was biblically based, and spoke to our commitment as Christians to be merciful toward all God’s people,” Clark, a D.C. native told The Informer.
Bishop Budde stood before a congregation including Trump, Vice President J.D. Vance and several other affiliates of the GOP, and asked the leaders to “have mercy on the people who are scared now.”
As the federal government works to shut down programming supporting DEI, Thompson emphasized why it’s important to use religious platforms to fight for freedom and equality for all.
“An amoral government must be countered with a moral movement,” Thompson told The Informer.
Preaching Truth to Power from the Pulpit
Bishop Clark, who also served in the Episcopal Diocese of Washington as canon for multicultural ministries and clergy development, emphasized the importance of faith leaders speaking up for marginalized communities.
“In the pulpit, we are called to speak up for those who are often voiceless. That’s respecting the dignity of every human being,” Clark told The Informer. “We have the ability to contribute to the narrative on issues, and add a spiritual perspective that would otherwise be neglected. Our job is to bring God into the conversation.”
A longtime freedom fighter, media professional, faith leader and host of “Make it Plain” podcast, Thompson is a veteran at using the pulpit to channel social activism and speak truth to power.
Most recently, Thompson took to the historic Riverside Church in Manhattan, New York, to deliver a sermon the day before the federal holiday celebrating the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
He explained the intersections of the King and Jesus Christ in finding their “Riverside,” and their care for human rights, challenging those in person and tuning in virtually to consider their own journeys and how they will devote themselves to justice.
“I’m not at all suggesting today we decide to give up our lives in the way that Christ and Dr. King did, but I am suggesting that we give up…the segments of our lives that are…in fact aspirtual,” Thompson told the congregation on Jan. 19, which was also the day before the presidential inauguration. “This is the paradoxical ironic language of the Gospel. We have to lose our lives to gain our lives.”
He told The Informer that King and Jesus Christ also shared a passion for helping people and encouraging others to work toward justice.
“The two greatest public theologians in history, Jesus and Dr. King, defined the prophetic calling of the pulpit by proclaiming good news to the poor, freedom for the prisoners, recovery of sight for the blind and freedom for the oppressed,” Thompson said.
Despite growing up in rural, majority conservative Kansas, the Rev. Christian Watkins of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the United Church of Christ told The Informer she’s been practicing “progressive” convictions her whole life.
Similarly to Clark and Thompson encouraging justice work through following Christ’s teachings, Watkins considers her mission to be a reflection on the basis of Christianity, more so than an enactment of liberalism.
“It is my dream that a diverse coalition which includes Christians of shared convictions can collaborate in the project of making this country a thriving place reflected by its rich diversity,” Watkins told The Informer.
Through global and domestic ministry outreach, Watkins has expanded an understanding of the relationship between conservatism and religion, something she aims to continue debunking in her ministry.
“American Christians must learn to distinguish between our tradition being a good fit for one person, and not being a good fit for another person,” she said. “And we must bless and affirm that choice with love and compassion.”
As a minister of 10 years, Watkins has used her religious platform to tout the importance of inclusion, both of religious dexterity and that of her minority counterparts. Yet, her fearless activism has waged conflict and resulted in life-threatening criticisms, similarly to Budde, who, since her Jan. 21 sermon, has been receiving death threats and calls for deportation, despite being a U.S. citizen.
Watkins’ story is depicted in the 2022 short film “The Pulpit: Prelude,” a project that sheds light on the ongoing crisis of oppression in the United States, and realities of public servants who risk their lives in progressivism and advocacy.
“I am one of many other leaders who have had to find their way after being in this same situation, and this experience made it very clear to me that being targeted by white supremacist, misogynist, racist, and homophobic violence and hate speech is not reflected in film or other storytelling mediums,” Watkins told The Informer. “I hope other women and minorities who are in similar situations will be emboldened to speak about their experiences. They are certainly not alone.”
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