Bishop who asked Trump to 'have mercy' is in Episcopal, not Catholic, church | Fact check
The claim: Bishop who asked Trump to ‘have mercy’ on LGBTQ community is Catholic
A Jan. 22 Facebook post (direct link, archive link) claims a religious leader who addressed President Donald Trump at an inaugural prayer service is part of the Catholic Church.
“SHOCKING: Catholic Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde begs Trump to allow Gay, Transgender and LGBTQ People live Freely in the United States and continue with their activities (sic),” reads the start of the post.
An X version of the claim that was shared nearly 20,000 times said, “When Catholics are pleading for mercy towards lgbtq+ folk you know it’s bad.”
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Our rating: False
Budde is a bishop in the Episcopal Church, which affirms the LGBTQ community. Women are not permitted to be bishops in the Catholic Church.
Budde is advocate for 'full inclusion' of LGBTQ community
During a prayer service at the Washington National Cathedral the day after Trump’s inauguration, Budde asked Trump to “have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared now.”
She went on to say, “There are gay, lesbian and transgender children in Democratic, Republic and independent families – some who fear for their lives.”
Trump later called for Budde to make a public apology, calling her a “Radical Left hard line Trump hater” in a Jan. 22 Truth Social post.
But Budde isn’t a Catholic, contrary to the online claims.
The Catholic Church doesn’t allow women to be bishops, priests or deacons. Pope Francis said in 2016 that the ban on women's ordination as priests is likely to remain in place forever, according to the National Catholic Reporter.
Rather, Budde is bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, according to the diocese’s website. As such, she leads nearly 100 Episcopal congregations and schools in Washington and Maryland.
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The website goes on to say that Budde is an advocate for the “full inclusion of LGBTQ+ persons.”
Such a position is not in conflict with the practices of the Episcopal Church, which publicly affirms the LGBTQ community. The church began performing same-sex weddings in 2015 and allows members of the LGBTQ community to be ordinated.
The Episcopal Church is a Protestant denomination that shares similarities with the Catholic Church, such as in its liturgical practice and parts of its hierarchy.
The Catholic Church’s stance on LGBTQ issues has shifted in some ways under Francis’ leadership. The Vatican affirmed in 2023 that transgender people can be baptized and declared that ordained priests could bless same-sex couples later that year.
The Vatican does not, however, recognize same-sex marriages and denounced gender-affirming surgery in 2024.
The user who shared the post did not provide evidence to support the claim when reached by Paste BN.
Our fact-check sources
- United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, accessed Jan. 23, FAQs – Priesthood, Ordination, Seminary
- Episcopal Diocese of Washington, accessed Jan. 22, Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde
- National Catholic Reporter, Nov. 1, 2016, Pope Francis confirms finality of ban on ordaining women priests
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