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On January 21, the Episcopal cathedral in Washington, D.C. hosted its traditional “A Service of Prayer for the Nation.” The tradition at the capital city landmark on the day following the presidential inauguration began in 1933. The interfaith national prayer service at the Washington National Cathedral, was attended by President Donald Trump, his family, and Vice President JD Vance, the day after they were sworn into office. Episcopal Bishop Mariann Budde of Washington vocalized some concerns of policies being advanced by the new Trump administration.
Specifically, during her sermon, the bishop asked President Trump to show “mercy” to migrants and refugees coming to the U.S. for a better life. Budde also called on Trump to show “mercy” to those who are “scared” of what his presidency means for them, such as “gay, lesbian and transgender children in Democratic, Republican and independent families, some who fear for their lives.”
Specifically, during her sermon, the bishop asked President Trump to show “mercy” to migrants and refugees coming to the U.S. for a better life. Budde also called on Trump to show “mercy” to those who are “scared” of what his presidency means for them, such as “gay, lesbian and transgender children in Democratic, Republican and independent families, some who fear for their lives.”
Bishop Budde said:
“Let me make one final plea, Mr. President. Millions have put their trust in you, and as you told the nation yesterday, you have felt the providential hand of a loving God. In the name of our God, I ask you to have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared now. There are gay, lesbian, and transgender children in Democratic, Republican, and independent families, some who fear for their lives. The people who pick our crops and clean our office buildings, who labor in poultry farms and meatpacking plants, who wash the dishes after we eat in restaurants and work the night shifts in hospitals, they may not be citizens or have the proper documentation, but the vast majority of immigrants are not criminals. They pay taxes and are good neighbors. They are faithful members of our churches and mosques, synagogues, gurdwara, and temples.I ask you to have mercy, Mr. President, on those in our communities whose children fear their parents will be taken away, and that you help those who are fleeing war zones and persecution in their own lands to find compassion and welcome here. Our God teaches us that we are to be merciful to the stranger, for we were all once strangers in this land. May God grant us the strength and courage to honor the dignity of every human being, to speak the truth to one another in love, and walk humbly with each other and our God, for the good of all people, the good of all people in this nation and the world. Amen.”
Trump later told reporters he found the service “not too exciting.”
“They could do much better,” Trump noted.
Religion News Service reported that Cardinal Christophe Pierre, the pope's ambassador to the U.S.A., was present with the interfaith clergy at the cathedral.
“They could do much better,” Trump noted.
Religion News Service reported that Cardinal Christophe Pierre, the pope's ambassador to the U.S.A., was present with the interfaith clergy at the cathedral.
Order of Service and Music: https://cathedral.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Service-of-Prayer-for-the-Nation-2025-Online.pdf
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