President Donald J. Trump and entourage were among the invited guests. She spoke for millions of people who are heartily sick of the unholy lavabo of religious leaders washing the small hands of politicians who use their power to divide and conquer people who are marginalized and made poor. She gave religion a good name despite declining participation. Presidential candidates traditionally attend. Cardinal Dolan was rewarded by giving the opening prayer for Mr. Episcopal Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde graciously stopped the dancing music in her home cathedral.
There are limits to what even those most generous of ministers will bless. The Washington National Cathedral is a beautiful Neo-Gothic-style building with stunning stained glass windows.
Trump appeared to be admiring it when he arrived. Happily, the Cathedral cannot be closed by Executive Order and its leaders are not beholden to the White House. I doubt Mr. Trump will return to the Cathedral any time soon. There is little danger of his funeral being held thereβMar-a-Lago or the Capitol One Arena are more likely venues.
My assessment is that Mr. Trump is notoriously unable to imbibe more than an index card of information at a time. But if he had bothered to check out The Reverend Mariann Budde, he might have remembered her. She publicly and strongly denounced his performative Bible beating in front of St. White Christian nationalism may be Christian but it is certainly not compatible with liberation theologies.
I was horrified to learn that while he was threatening to use military force across America, peaceful protesters were being forcibly removed from Lafayette Park so that he might pose before the church for a photograph. For me, now is such a time. I stand with those engaged in peaceful protest, calling for meaningful change, and especially with young Americans who rightfully wonder if there is hope for their future.
