Bishop Budde Embarrased the Episcopal Church

Her remarks not only violated the solemn tradition of the event but demonstrated a profound lapse in professionalism and spiritual leadership. The National Prayer Service is meant to foster unity and understanding; Bishop Budde chose to sow division and discord.

Bishop Mariann Budde’s comments were fundamentally out of touch with millions of Americans who call the Episcopal Church home. Her partisan rhetoric misrepresented the diversity of thought within the Church and projected the false narrative that Episcopalians uniformly share her views. This could not be further from the truth.

As a lifelong Episcopalian, I find Bishop Budde’s version of the Church unrecognizable. Growing up, I remember traditional Anglican priests who believed in preaching the gospel, providing the sacrament, and reinforcing the core tenets of our faith — the belief in One God, the Father Almighty, and in Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God. Our priests focused on the Holy Sacraments and the teachings of Christ. The politicization of the pulpit would never have occurred. The Church – specifically the parishes and dioceses – of my youth were ones that celebrated faith and sought unity, not ideological conformity.

Bishop Budde’s actions earlier this week alienated countless members of the Episcopal Church who simply seek solace in their faith, and tarnished the Church's public reputation in the process.

Bishop Budde has since embarked on a media blitz in the aftermath of her heretical homily, doubling down on her divisive rhetoric rather than showing the humility and grace expected of a spiritual leader. Her continued public statements reveal that her actions were neither spontaneous nor pastoral, but deliberate and politically motivated. Her behavior is far outside what is expected from a Bishop of the Episcopal Church, whose role should be to shepherd her flock — not to pursue a personal political agenda or public spotlight.

Furthermore, Bishop Budde's demand for a direct invitation to speak with President Trump is nothing short of outlandish. Her attempt to leverage the press to secure a meeting with the President of the United States underscores her misplaced priorities and inflated sense of self-importance.

A deeper look into Bishop Budde’s record makes it clear that her political activism did not begin with this homily. Her and her family’s history of personal campaign contributions to prominent national Democrats, her involvement in past protests against President Trump, and her role in altering historic stained-glass windows of the National Cathedral to reflect a progressive agenda all paint the picture of a bishop more focused on politics than pastoral care. While she is entitled to her personal views as a private citizen, it is not her role to politically influence or indoctrinate her congregation or clergy.

It is particularly troubling that Bishop Budde utilized the platform of the National Prayer Service to push her own political beliefs despite the resounding 2024 election results, which handed President Trump a decisive victory in both the Electoral College and the popular vote. Her tone-deaf messaging ignored the will of the American people, who have entrusted President Trump to lead this nation. Instead of respecting the democratic process and offering prayers for national unity, she chose to sow division under the guise of spiritual guidance.

The Episcopal Church, with its deep ties to our nation’s founding, has a long tradition of being a place of worship, not a political battleground. Our Founding Fathers — including John Jay and James Madison, in addition to George Washington — were devout Episcopalians who understood the importance of faith in public life. Churches like Christ Church in Alexandria, where our first president himself worshipped, were sanctuaries of prayer and reverence. The Preface of the Book of Common Prayer mirrors the core principles of the Declaration of Independence — upholding liberty, unity, and devotion to a higher calling.

Conservatives must recognize this moment as a wake-up call. For too long, we have allowed the Episcopal Church to be overtaken by progressive activism that strays from the Church’s traditional values. The solution is not to abandon the Church but to reclaim it. We must return to our pews, engage with our congregations, and step into leadership roles within our vestries, search committees, and discernment committees. The only way to restore the Church to its foundational principles is through active participation.

The Episcopal Church should be a beacon of faith, tradition, and unity — values that are deeply ingrained in the American spirit. It’s time for conservatives to reaffirm our presence and commitment to our Church. With renewed engagement, we can steer the Episcopal Church back to the orthodox and traditional roots that our Founding Fathers knew and loved. The path forward is clear: Show up, stand firm, and lead.