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Budde has served as bishop of the Washington, DC diocese since 2011, and is the first female bishop in that post. She is well-known for her words on finding hope through politics at a national prayer service during US president Donald Trump’s first week in office in January.
At that time, she urged the incoming US president to show mercy to the less powerful—words that resonated with many concerned for the future of the United States, while others dismissed her words.
At Kirchentag—which brings together members of the Protestant Church in Germany for discussions on faith, culture, and politics—Budde thanked her German hosts for a warm welcome.
“I’m so honored to be with you, and I come in a spirit of friendship, bringing greetings from many in the United States who are your friends—and indeed we are your relatives,” she said. “Like many Americans, I am of European heritage.”
She went on to speak of the courage and compassion that the Christian faith tradition calls us to embody. “We are family,” she said. “But it’s also good to remember that we don’t do it alone and we don’t do it perfectly.”
Bedford-Strohm said he believed the conversation on 2 May could be the seed of something much bigger across the world.
After hearing how Budde felt as she delivered her message in January, Bedford-Strohm expressed solidarity with her—and, with enthusiastic applause, all those present echoed the feeling.
“You can feel the emotion here,” said Bedford-Strohm. “You can feel a lot of emotion here.”
Video: "We can be courageous" | Main panel with Mariann Edgar Budde | Kirchentag 2025
Bossey alumni launch European Ecumenical Network at Kirchentag (WCC news release, 2 may 2025)
