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"We stand with you in unwavering solidarity"

President Rev Charissa Suli has written a letter of solidarity and support to Rt Rev Dr Mariann Edgar Budde, Episcopal Bishop of Washington

February 5, 2025

President of the Uniting Church in Australia Rev Charissa Suli has written a letter of solidarity and support to the Right Rev Dr Mariann Budde, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington.

On 21 January Bishop Budde delivered a powerful sermon during the national prayer service held in Washington National Cathedral. To a congregation which included America's national leaders, she spoke truth to power and urged mercy and compassion for vulnerable communities - a message firmly grounded in the life, teaching and ministry of Jesus Christ. The sermon garnered global attention and provoked a firestorm of reaction including a call for an apology by President Trump himself, to which the Bishop responded: "I don’t feel there’s a need to apologise for a request for mercy."

The Right Rev Dr Budde serves as spiritual leader of 86 Episcopal congregations and ten Episcopal schools in Washington, D.C. She is the first woman elected to this position.

Read the full text of the letter below.

"Your sermon reminded us that the Gospel calls us to a unity that embraces diversity, to a love that demands action, and to a hope that refuses to be silenced."

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Dear Bishop Budde,

Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. I write to you from the National Assembly of the Uniting Church in Australia, holding you in deep gratitude and admiration for your prophetic witness and courageous sermon at the National Prayer Service in Washington DC. We stand with you in unwavering solidarity.

Your words were a profound call to unity – not as conformity or mere politeness, but as a deep and abiding way of being with one another, where differences are respected, multiple perspectives are held in grace, and our shared humanity is honoured.  As you so powerfully reminded us, unity is the solid foundation upon which a nation must be built. It is not about victory, but about love. It is not about partisanship, but about justice and mercy.

Your merciful plea for leaders to show love to our neighbours and to govern with compassion was a bold and necessary reminder of Jesus Christ’s call to justice. Your sermon reminded us that the Gospel calls us to a unity that embraces diversity, to a love that demands action, and to a hope that refuses to be silenced.

As Christians we follow the Jesus of the Gospels, who was anointed by the Spirit for a radical ministry to the poor, the oppressed and the excluded. His life and teaching challenged systems of power and privilege. He modelled a new vision of God's kingdom where the last would be first and the least would be greatest. As followers of Christ, we are called to embody this same vision as we stand with the most vulnerable and uphold the dignity of all people.

Your sermon was a profound call to action, not just for those with great power but for all of us who live in a deeply conflicted and divided world. They challenge us to live out our faith by prioritising our shared humanity over division, compassion over fear, and justice over complacency or complicity.

Many of us grieve the unjust criticism you have faced for speaking truth to power particularly from those who should be heeding your call to love and mercy. Yet we rejoice in your steadfast witness, knowing that those who walk in the way of Christ have always faced opposition by those for whom Jesus’ liberating mission is a threat to their power. Your courage, integrity, and unwavering commitment to the Gospel is an inspiration to us all.

Bishop Budde, please know that we uphold you in prayer. May the Spirit of courage strengthen you and the peace of Christ sustain you, and may the love of God surround you in these challenging times. We give thanks for your fearless leadership and your faithful ministry.

With every blessing and in the bonds of Christ,

Rev Charissa Suli

President, Uniting Church in Australia National Assembly

download as a pdf

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