Beacons of Hope: Our Interreligious S/Heroes Beacons of Hope: Our Interreligious (S)Heroes – Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde

Each month, we honor an individual or group whose commitments align with the bridge-building efforts of the Miller Center of Hebrew College. This April, Hebrew College Visiting Professor Rev. Rob Schenck honors Bishop Mariann Budde of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, who will receive an honorary doctorate from Hebrew College at our 2025 commencement ceremony.

The Right Reverend Mariann Edgar Budde, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, DC, burst onto the national scene this past January. During the customary post-inauguration prayer service held at the National Cathedral, Bishop Mariann humbly implored the newly seated second-term president, Donald Trump, to have mercy on those afraid of his intended policies, which could place them at risk. She named LGBTQ+ folks and immigrants in particular.

This was during intensive week at Hebrew College, and my phone started bursting with texts, emails, calls, and alerts about my friend of more than seven years. “Mariann,” as I know her, has been a close colleague, conversation partner, and even confessor to me. Her husband, Paul, was the treasurer of my former institution, the Dietrich Bonhoeffer Institute, for all five years I led it.

My wife, Cheryl, and I came to know the Buddes after she called me to tell me how moved she was listening to my 2018 interview with Fresh Air’s Terry Gross. Her invitation to preach from the Cathedral’s storied pulpit followed shortly after. Over many sharied meals and outing, we deepened our relationship as couples, exchanging personal stories, conversation about the day’s affairs, and even prayers. During one such get-together, it was my great pleasure to introduce Mariann to one of her all-time s/heroes, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

I have attended two previous post-inaugural prayer services, which were deliberately congenial and non-controversial. As a “House of Prayer for All People,” the Cathedral welcomes all comers, religiously, culturally, and politically. Yet, I know Mariann well, and she is a consummate shepherd of souls. She loves people deeply, empathizes with them completely, and takes responsibility for their safety and well-being. The spiritual leader I know Bishop Mariann to be could not remain silent that morning. I was not shocked that she did her pastoral duty.

Like Jeremiah of old, the Bishop of Washington could not suppress the burning in her bones. Mariann delivered her appeal differentially, politely, and gently–yet with the indomitable power of righteousness and moral truth. May she be blessed for her faithfulness in the moment of testing. More importantly, may her words prove a layer of protection for the ones she loves and cares about so much.

*Bishop Budde will be honored for her outstanding leadership efforts by Hebrew College at the 2025 Commencement Ceremony.