Watch: DC bishop takes on Trump to his face in national prayer service
President Donald Trump attended the National Prayer Service at the Washington National Cathedral on Tuesday, along with other top Republican leaders and their spouses.
Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde appeared on a stage with 11 other faith leaders gave a speech where she asked that the world pray for "unity," which she said wasn't the same as "agreement, political or otherwise."
Budde turned to deliver a message directly to Trump and other politicians by saying, "There isn't much to be gained by our prayers if we act in ways that further deepen the divisions among us. Our scriptures are quite clear about this, that God is never impressed with prayers when actions are not informed by them. Nor does God spare us from the consequences of our Deeds which always, in the end, matter more than the words we pray."
ALSO READ: 'Chosen by God': A new kind of convert is making the pilgrimage to see Trump
She then warned that for some, the "loss of their hopes and dreams will be far more than political defeat. But instead a loss of equality and dignity and their livelihoods."
There was also a mention of those who are benefitting from an increasingly polarized America, a reference to countries like Russia, China and other foes. Meanwhile, she highlighted those who make a "profit" from the increasing polarization, like the social media billionaires present at the inauguration.
It's something she called "a worrisome way to lead a country."
At the close, Budde told Trump and his flock that one action of unity is "honoring the dignity of all people." The second foundation of unity is "honesty," which Trump has struggled with over his lifetime. The third is "humility."
As if she were speaking directly to Trump, she said, "Perhaps we are most dangerous to ourselves and others when we are persuaded without a doubt that we are absolutely right, and someone else is absolutely wrong. Because then we are a few steps from labeling ourselves as the good people verses the bad people."
"Let me make one final plea, Mr. President. Millions have put their trust in you ... In the name of our God, I ask you to have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared now," she closed, specifically mentioning gay, lesbian and transgender children, "some who fear for their lives." She also mentioned the migrants, immigrants who she argued "are not criminals."
MSNBC host Andrea Mitchell said that she's been to many prayer services in the past after inaugurations and "I've never seen anything like that."
See the full sermon below or at the link here.
- YouTube youtu.be
- YouTube www.youtube.com
