Bishop of Washington at Tuesday Rally in Support of DACA:
“The president’s decision is not the final answer on DACA”
Washington, D.C.–The Right Reverend Mariann Edgar Budde, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, joined a group of immigration advocates, dreamers, and other faith leaders in front of the White House this morning at a rally in support of the DACA program and its recipients. As Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced the president’s decision to end the program in 6 months if Congress refused to act, Bishop Budde was among those who led the group in prayer. She offered the following remarks and concluding prayer.
“I speak to you on behalf of four interfaith leaders: His Eminence Donald Cardinal Wuerl, archbishop of Washington; Rabbi M. Bruce Lustig, senior rabbi of Washington Hebrew Congregation; Imam Talib M. Shareef of Masjid Muhammad, The Nation’s Mosque, and myself.
“Last week we sent a letter to Present Trump and members of Congress, speaking with one voice to state emphatically that our respective sacred texts and teachings are clear: supporting the dreams of young immigrants in the United States is consistent with the moral imperative of extending hospitality to the stranger, of caring for immigrants and children, and of loving our neighbors as ourselves.
“Now that the president has acted, we will turn our attention to Congress.
“I want to speak now to the dreamers present: You are part of our communities, part of this country. I want you to know that you belong here. We love you; we are so proud of you; and we need your gifts, talents and hard work to help make this country live up to its greatest ideals. Your dream is the American dream of opportunity and diversity, of safe haven and of building a better life for ourselves and our families. The future of this country is in your hands. The president’s decision is not the final answer on DACA. We commit ourselves to work with and alongside you for a better day.
“Let us pray: Gracious God, we hold before you the young people of our nation, and especially those who now must worry if the only country they know as home will banish them. Empower and sustain them in this uncertain time, as we do our part, in our time, to ensure all in our country recognize the treasure that they are to us, and how blessed we are by all that they are contributing now and long to contribute in the future to the building up of our nation. Give us all strength and courage; wisdom and humility; clarity and compassion for the living of these days. Amen.”
