Faith Facts

• The Episcopal Church remains one of America’s historic Protestant denominations with deep roots in the founding era.
• Presidents from both parties have traditionally attended the Washington National Cathedral prayer service on Inauguration Day.
• Christian leaders are called to shepherd their flocks with truth and grace rather than political confrontation.

An Episcopal bishop who gained national attention for publicly rebuking President Donald Trump during the 2025 inaugural prayer service has announced her intention to retire.

The Rt. Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde, who leads the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, stated that she will conclude her tenure at the end of 2028 after nearly two decades of service.

During the January 2025 prayer service at Washington National Cathedral, Bishop Budde used her sermon to directly address the newly inaugurated president, urging him to show mercy toward certain groups.

“I ask you to have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared now,” she said during the nationally televised service.

The remarks drew immediate praise from some quarters and sharp criticism from others who viewed the pulpit as an inappropriate venue for political confrontation.

Under traditional Christian teaching, clergy are entrusted with proclaiming the full counsel of God rather than advancing partisan agendas from the altar.

“In January of 2028, I will have served 18 years as your bishop,” Budde wrote in a letter to her diocese.

Her successor will be chosen through the Episcopal Church’s established discernment process, which involves clergy, lay leaders, and the broader diocese.

Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.

Faith Facts

• Pastor Robert Jeffress of First Baptist Dallas has publicly stated that the Democratic Party is openly advocating for sin.
• Jeffress specifically singled out Texas Senate candidate James Talarico as an example of someone who is not a Christian.
• The pastor’s remarks reflect a growing divide between traditional Christian values and modern political platforms.

First Baptist Dallas Pastor Robert Jeffress recently reiterated his assertion that the Democratic Party has been reduced to openly advocating for sin and offered U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico as a particular example.

“The Democratic Party has become the party of evil,”

No true Christian could ever be a member of a church like this. https://t.co/4Szy99wMu9,

— Dr. Robert Jeffress (@robertjeffress) September 24, 2026

Jeffress declared in his recent comments. He emphasized that the party’s stances on key moral issues have moved far from biblical principles.

The pastor’s remarks come as the political landscape continues to shift, with many traditional Christians feeling increasingly at odds with Democratic policies on issues ranging from abortion to gender ideology.

“James Talarico is not a Christian,”

Jeffress stated plainly, drawing a clear line between biblical faith and the positions held by the Democratic candidate. This declaration underscores the pastor’s view that true Christian faith cannot coexist with certain political platforms.

Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.

Faith Facts

• Scripture commands churches to protect the vulnerable and uphold justice, as seen in passages like Matthew 18:6 and Psalm 82:3-4.
• Christian leaders are called to shepherd their flocks with integrity and transparency, reflecting the character of Christ.
• Accountability in the household of faith is a biblical mandate, not an optional courtesy.

The U.S. Senate campaign of United Methodist megachurch Pastor Adam Hamilton is again facing questions about how he handled reported sexual abuse by a volunteer at a church youth camp two decades ago.

The issue has now been included as part of a seven-figure ad buy from his GOP opponent.

Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.