Bishop Mariann Budde to resign, will remain in post during lengthy replacement process

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WASHINGTON (RNS) — The Rt. Rev. Mariann Budde, who shot to fame after urging President Donald Trump to have mercy on immigrants and others, announced on Thursday (Oct 1) that she plans to resign as head of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington. The move sets in motion a nearly two-year process to find her replacement as she finishes out her lengthy tenure as one of the country’s most visible religious leaders.

Budde will remain the Episcopal bishop of Washington until June 2028, when her replacement will be consecrated.

In an exclusive interview with Religion News Service on Wednesday (Sept. 30), Budde said that when her term is over, she plans to return to Minnesota, her home state.

“I’m going to do all that I can to both lead well in this period, and to ensure that there’s as much wind in the sails of the future leader and the diocese going forward as is humanly possible,” Budde said via a video call.

Budde said her departure is officially designated as a resignation, not a retirement, because prelates in the Episcopal Church typically retain the title of bishop even after they leave…