Rev. Dr. Mariann Edgar Budde, rector of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Southwest Minneapolis, was elected by the Episcopal Diocese of Washington as its first female diocesan bishop on June 18.
Budde, 52, has served as rector of St. John’s since 1993. The new position will place Budde at the head of 40,000 members in 88 parishes in Washington D.C. and Maryland.
"I am honored and overjoyed to accept the call to serve as the next bishop of Washington," Budde said in a statement after the election. "I pledge to serve God, our Lord Jesus Christ, and the people and ministries of the Diocese with my whole heart, doing everything I can to support and strengthen the mission God has entrusted to you."
Budde has been married to Paul Budde for 25 years. She and has two sons, Amos, 23, and Patrick, 20. She speaks fluent Spanish and has long worked among Spanish-speaking communities, according to a statement by the church.
Budde was elected by a large margin, but still must be granted consent by bishops and committees of the Episcopal Church.
