November 14 - New D.C. Episcopal Bishop Seeks to 'Build Up the Liberal Church'

The Rev. Mariann Budde, the newly consecrated and seated bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, wants to make a stronger voice for progressive Christians. “I want to build up the liberal church again so we can be a legitimate conversation partner in the public arena religiously,” said Budde to the Washington Post’s Michelle Boorstein.

Budde stated that she believed this “public arena” is presently “dominated by evangelical Christians and what many would call the Christian right, and I would agree. It’s legitimate for them to be there, but they’re drowning us out,” said Budde.

In talking with the Washington Examiner, Budde spoke of supporting “full inclusion of gay and lesbian people in every aspect of the life of the church and of our society. My guess is that in five to 10 years this issue would be behind us, I really do,” she told the Examiner.

MacKinnon said that as rector at St. John’s, Budde helped develop “a number of outreach, inclusion and social justice ministries.”

Robert Lundy, communications officer for the AAC, took exception to Budde’s statement that she wants “to build up the liberal church.” “What happened to building up Christ’s Church?” Lundy asked CP, adding that he considered the statement to be “ridiculous.”