First Female Episcopal Bishop Installed In D.C.

Reverend Mariann Budde will be installed as the 9th Episcopal Bishop of Washington, D.C. Nov. 12.

Tomorrow afternoon the Reverend Mariann Budde will be consecrated as the 9th Episcopal Bishop of Washington D.C. She is the first woman elected to that post, and her installation will be the first event at Washington National Cathedral since it sustained damage in the August earthquake. Interfaith Voices host Maureen Fiedler sat down with Budde to find more about the transition to her new role in the nation's capital.

Budde will preach at the National Cathedral on the high holy days, but she will spend much of her time visiting and preaching at the 89 congregations throughout her jurisdiction. 

Here are some highlights from Budde's interview: 

On serving as a religious leader in the center of political life in America: "I'm very interested in … local politics, both within D.C. and also the four counties in my jurisdiction," says Budde, whose jurisdiction includes Montgomery, Prince George's, St. Mary's and Charles counties in Maryland. "I'd like to be a real presence on the ground, get to know the supers of the schools, the local religious affiliations, the senators and representatives in the Maryland legislature, and to work with the city, to … be a force for good."

On whether she'll become active in national politics in her new role: "To be honest, my voice will be stronger as we organize our communities," says Budde. 

On bringing more people to activism through faith: "I don't think we lack in this country for articulate spokespeople," she says. "I think what we lack is the kind of organized gathering of people to effect social change. So that's where I'm going to be spending most of my time." 

On what she's most looking forward to about the job: "I'm so excited to be here, that I simply want to get started and get to know people and get to work and learn what I need to learn, and engage this new life," she says.  

Listen to the full interview from Morning Edition, or tune in to Interfaith Voices Sunday at 4 p.m. for an extended version.