Thursday, January 23, 2025

This Week in Religion - Bishop's sermon to Trump stirs controversy

Lead story

President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance, left, attend the national prayer service at the Washington National Cathedral.

Editor's note:

A quiet affair that generally goes under the radar, this year’s inaugural prayer service at the Washington National Cathedral sparked controversy after the sermon, delivered by the Right Rev. Mariann Budde, offered a public critique of Trump’s policies. Budde, the Episcopal bishop of the diocese of Washington, which includes the National Cathedral, urged the returning president, who sat in the front row, to “have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared now,” in particular LGBTQ children and immigrants, two constituencies affected by executive orders signed by Trump the day before. The homily received backlash almost immediately, with several of Trump’s religious supporters condemning Budde, including the Rev. Franklin Graham. One member of Congress, Rep. Mike Collins of Georgia, said in a post on X that Budde should be deported. And on Wednesday, Trump posted on Truth Social that the “so-called Bishop” was “nasty in tone” and “not very good at her job.” But, writes Jack Jenkins for RNS, her remarks should not come as a surprise to anyone who has followed Budde’s career.

A banner with a headshot of Roxanne Stone and text that says, "Roxanne Stone, Managing Editor, Religion News Service."
 

Religion News

Faith communities help LA fire victims with shelter, necessities while planning for future

'It really has to be an all-hands-on-deck community engagement to rebuild and restore and return,' said one Los Angeles pastor. By Bob Smietana/Religion News Service

Pope dissolves Peru-based conservative Catholic movement after abuses uncovered by Vatican

Pope Francis has dissolved a Peru-based Catholic movement, the Sodalitium Christianae Vitae, after years of attempts at reform and a Vatican investigation. The probe uncovered sexual abuses by its founder, financial mismanagement by its leaders and spiritual abuses by its top members. By Nicole Winfield/The Associated Press

After a year and a half of watching their homeland demolished and hearing of loved ones lost, news of the deal was bittersweet and long overdue. By Fiona AndrĂ©/Religion News Service

The side of a building with a banner that says "Dad's place: A church that loves like family." There is also a glass door under a green awning that has the numbers 226 on it.

Judge finds Ohio pastor guilty of violating fire code while church operated as a temporary shelter 

A judge in northwest Ohio has found a pastor guilty on criminal charges for failing to comply with the local fire code after he opened his church and let homeless people and others to stay inside overnight. By Patrick Afroora-Orsagos/The Associated Press

Police investigate whether foreign actors are paying for antisemitic crimes in Australia

Australian detectives are investigating whether foreign actors are paying criminals to commit antisemitic attacks. Federal Police Commissioner Reece Kershaw met with state police chiefs to discuss an increase in antisemitic crime in Australia since the war between Israel and Hamas began on Oct. 7, 2023. By Rod McGuirk/The Associated Press

 

Commentary and Analysis

Martin Luther King Jr. popularized the term ‘beloved community’ and gave it his own meaning. But the still-cited phrase was coined decades before. By Jason Oliver Evans for The Conversation

Praying for the president does not mean that you endorse everything he says and does. By Thomas Reese/Religion News Service

Support and opposition to Christian nationalism are linked to people’s moral values more than religious, racial and political tribalism. By Kerby Goff, Eric Silver and John Iceland for The Conversation

Luce carries symbols that have been associated with pilgrimage in Europe since the 12th century, particularly with the shrine of St. James in northwestern Spain. By Virginia Raguin for The Conversation

 
A group of people gather in a circle with their heads bowed in prayer. Some of the people in the circle are wearing religious robes and have their hands laid on the shoulders of the people beside them.

Faithful pray at a religious service in the aftermath of the Eaton Fire at Trinity Lutheran Church, Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)

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