Chi è Mariann Edgar Budde, la vescova che ha chiesto a Trump di “avere misericordia”?

Articolo di Graig Graziosi, pubblicato sul The Independent (Regno Unito) il 22 gennaio 2025. Liberamente tradotto dai volontari del Progetto Gionata.

La vescova Budde che ha presieduto il National Prayer Service (Servizio Nazionale di Preghiera) di martedì per la nomina di Donald Trump, nella National Cathedral (Cattedrale Nazionale) di Washington, DC, ha ribadito al Presidente presente in prima fila, di avere misericordia verso i giovani LGBTQ+ e di voler comprendere che non tutti i migranti sono criminali, sottolineando che molti temono le sue possibili azioni nei loro confronti.

Mariann Budde, 65 anni, è la vescova episcopaliana che ha affrontato Trump durante il National Prayer Service (Servizio Nazionale di Preghiera). Trump e il vicepresidente JD Vance erano presenti come parte della loro prima giornata ufficiale alla Casa Bianca (White House).

In un contesto in cui le questioni LGBTQ+ sono spesso trattate negativamente durante eventi legati a Trump, Budde ha affermato con forza una prospettiva diversa.

“There are gay, lesbian and transgender children in Democratic, Republican and independent families, some of whom fear for their lives,” he reiterated. “Millions have placed their trust in her. In the name of our God, I ask you to have mercy on the people in our country who now live in fear.”

One of Trump's first acts on Monday was to issue an executive order declaring the existence of only two genders.

Budde also called on the president to reconsider how he treats and talks about migrants in the United States.

“They may not be citizens or have the necessary documentation, but the vast majority of migrants are not criminals,” he said.

Trump declared a national emergency at the border to limit crossings, and made clear during his campaign that he wanted to continue with mass deportations. His boldest and most unconstitutional proposal yet was an order to abolish the right of birthright citizenship in the United States, a right protected by the US Constitution.

At least 22 US states and a group of pregnant women have already sued the Trump administration over its plan to end citizenship by birth.

When asked later by reporters about the religious service, Trump appeared bored, suggesting it had not been engaging enough for his tastes.

(…) Bishop Budde's comments were not surprising; she has been consistently critical of Trump since his first term as president, describing his views and behaviors as totally opposite to those of Jesus.

(..) However, after Trump's victory in 2024, Budde felt that his return to power needed to be addressed.

During a speech in his diocese in Washington, DC, Budde urged believers to remember the "dignity" of all people, not just those who share the same political ideologies, noting that today's political rhetoric can make this difficult task.

“I am grateful for the constant message of those prayers: that, regardless of political affiliation and strongly held opinions, they push us to be united in our commitment to follow Jesus in the way of love,” she reiterated. “A love that calls us to seek and serve Christ in all people and to uphold the dignity of every human being — a daunting task at any time, but even more so in a season of heated and divisive political rhetoric.”

He said Trump's victory marks a "dramatic shift in power" that will be celebrated by some and frighten others, but he concluded on a hopeful note, reiterating that this shift opens up new possibilities for people to grow and demonstrate their power. their courage.

Original text: Who is Mariann Edgar Budde, the bishop who asked Trump to 'have mercy'?