In a bold move, Episcopal Bishop of Washington Mariann Budde has refused to apologize to President Donald Trump for her recent remarks during the inaugural prayer service at Washington National Cathedral.
The bishop’s sermon, which targeted the president’s policies and behavior, has sparked a wave of outrage and hate from Trump supporters.
The Backlash Against Bishop Budde
Budde has faced a barrage of criticism, with some even wishing her dead. In an interview with MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow, the 65-year-old bishop revealed that she has received threatening messages and has been subjected to online abuse.
“I’ve had people wish me dead,” she said.
“I’m not sure they’ve threatened to kill me, but they’d seem to be pleased if I met my eternal destiny sooner rather than later.”
A Plea for Respect
Despite the backlash, Bishop Budde remains unapologetic and has issued a plea to Americans to “speak to one another with respect.”
She emphasized that while people can disagree with her views, they should do so in a respectful and civil manner. “You can certainly disagree with me.
You can disagree with what I’ve said or did. But could we, as Americans and fellow children of God, speak to one another with respect?” she asked.
The Bishop’s Intentions
Budde’s sermon was intended to be a gentle plea to the president to have mercy on minority groups, including immigrants and transgender children. She urged Trump to broaden his characterization of the people who are frightened and at risk of losing everything.
“I wanted to make, as you heard, a plea, a request that he broaden his characterization of the people that are are frightened now and are at risk of losing everything,” she explained.
Trump’s Scathing Review
President Trump has responded to Bishop Budde’s sermon with a scathing review, calling her a “radical Left hard line Trump hater.”
He accused her of bringing her church into the world of politics in a “very ungracious way” and being “nasty in tone.”
Other Republicans and right-wingers have also expressed outrage over the bishop’s remarks, with some even calling for her to be deported.
A Call for Mercy and Compassion
Bishop Budde remains committed to her message of mercy and compassion. She believes that these values are essential for uniting the country and addressing its many problems.
“To be united as a country with so many riches of diversity, we need mercy,” she said. “We need compassion. We need empathy.”
As the debate over her sermon continues, one thing is clear: Bishop Mariann Budde is not afraid to speak her mind and stand up for what she believes in.