A Year After Controversial Sermon, Bishop Budde Stands Firm
One year after her widely criticized sermon directed at President Trump, Episcopal Bishop Mariann Budde returned to the national spotlight, this time speaking from a Minneapolis church during protests against the administration’s mass deportation campaign. Her original plea for “mercy” toward immigrants was condemned by Trump as radical, but many faith leaders now echo her call. Budde reaffirmed her stance, saying love of neighbor is a core principle of all faiths, not a political choice.
Faith Leaders Mobilize Against Deportation Raids
Budde joined hundreds of clergy in Minneapolis, many of whom have been urging more direct resistance to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids. The bishop, who grew up in Minnesota, said the intensifying deportation efforts have galvanized a spiritual movement. She emphasized the generational responsibility to resist dehumanizing policies, stating, “It’s our country to preserve and protect.” Some bishops have urged clergy to prepare for arrest or bodily harm, a sign of how high tensions have risen.
Courage and Caution: The Dual Message to Clergy
While some religious leaders have faced tear gas and arrests, Budde urged her followers to act wisely as well as bravely. She said most courageous acts are “small and local,” grounded in relationships and community. Although not every clergy member will march in protest, she believes each can stand in solidarity. Budde advised her community to prepare for danger but avoid seeking it out, emphasizing resilience over recklessness.
Washington D.C. Lessons Reflect National Fears
As bishop of Washington, D.C., Budde has seen ICE activity firsthand. Immigrant communities in the region live in fear, similar to those in Minneapolis. She warned that ICE, with increased funding and reduced accountability, is emboldened nationwide. These actions, she said, are alarming and should concern all Americans, regardless of location.
Urging Unity in a Divided Nation
Budde also called attention to the deeper cultural crisis—what she calls a “culture of contempt.” She believes this dehumanization undermines democracy and makes dialogue across differences nearly impossible. Encouraging her community to rebuild respectful conversation, she warned that without it, recovery from division or violence becomes harder each day.
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One year after she urged Trump to have mercy, Bishop Budde leads clergy protests in Minneapolis
Photo by Javier Allegue Barros on Unsplash
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