Bishop critical of Trump church photo op among faith leaders to speak at Dems convention

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The Episcopal bishop of Washington, D.C., who criticized President Donald Trump after he held a Bible aloft at a photo op at a historic church in her diocese, is among the diverse group of faith leaders selected by Democrats to speak at their presidential nominating convention.

Reflecting Democrats’ interest in interfaith engagement, Berkun is one of four faith leaders from three religious traditions who are scheduled to speak on Thursday, the convention’s final day. The party also planned an interfaith service on Sunday.

Budde was outspoken in her criticism of Trump for staging the June 1 visit to the historic St. John’s Church across from the White House, where he held up a Bible after authorities had cleared the area of people protesting peacefully against racial injustice. “He took the symbols sacred to our tradition and stood in front of a house of prayer in full expectation that would be a celebratory moment,” Budde said in an interview after Trump’s walk from the White House.

This is one of the aspects that turns people off from organized religion: these 'leaders' who seek the limelight, who display no humility, who become involved in politics and don't even attempt to maintain a neutral position, who accept speaking engagements at national political conventions. I don't know about anyone else, but my faith is my faith, not a 'tradition.' The Bible represents my faith, not my traditions.