Feisty Female Friday: Mariann Edgar Buddee

The FFF this week is Mariann Edgar Buddee.

Mariann serves as first female Bishop of Washington DC. She was born and grew up in NJ and attended the U of R and VA Theological seminary. Mariann worked in urban ministry in AZ and as a missionary in Honduras. After seminary she was an assistant rector in OH and a rector in MN. She was elected the ninth bishop becoming Washington's first female diocesan bishop.

As bishop, Mariann is head of the Episcopal Diocese of DC which comprises 86 Episcopal congregations and 10 Episcopal schools across DC and in four MD counties. She also serves as the chair of the Protestant Episcopal Foundation and is as a member of the Governing Board of the National Cathedral School. Mariann oversaw the replacement of panes honoring Confederate generals with panes that commemorate the civil rights movement and also presided over the interment service of Matthew Shepard. As the George Floyd protests occurred in DC, she criticized the use of police and National Guard to forcibly clear protestors from Lafayette Park ahead of the President’s photo op in front of a church. Mariann offered the benediction at the closing of the second night of the DNC asked God for the "grace to do something big for something good."

She was one of about 200 Christian leaders and scholars to sign an open letter calling for the preservation of pluralist democracy, opposition to authoritarian rule and in the belief that humans are created in God’s image. Mariann believes that addressing wealth disparities, preserving religious pluralism, and serving as peacemakers are part of every Christian’s responsibilities. She delivered the homily at the interfaith prayer service traditionally held after each inauguration urging the president to show mercy and compassion to vulnerable people, the LGBT community, immigrants, and refugees fleeing from war in their countries. The president was not pleased, disparaged her on many occasions, even though her remarks were welcomed by many who said that her words were part of the core of their faith, too. Some demanded an apology from her, but she declined to do so because asking for mercy for others is part of the faith of all of us, she said. Mariann has also said that unity in our country requires mercy, humility, and the upholding the human dignity of everyone. Many threatening phone calls were made to her in the aftermath of the service and were investigated by DC police.

Mariann was awarded an honorary degree and has published three books discussing her faith. She remains focused in her ministry on social justice, immigration advocacy, supporting marginalized communities, and works with cancer patients.

She is married, has two sons, and lives in DC.