Episcopal Churches

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? Episcopal churches see surge of interest, rage

After an Episcopal bishop's viral sermon during an inauguration prayer service, parishes in the church are being targeted with anger as well as a surge of interest from prospective members, Axios Salt Lake City's Erin Alberty writes.

• Why it matters: Congregations reported a spike in attendance — along with angry calls — on the first Sunday after Bishop Mariann Budde's sermon in D.C. last week.

With President Trump in attendance, she implored him to "have mercy" for undocumented immigrants and LGBTQ+ people.

• Trump demanded an apology, saying, "She is not very good at her job!"

? Between the lines: Don't expect your local Episcopal priest to shy away from politics, said the Right Rev. Phyllis A. Spiegel, the bishop who oversees the Diocese of Utah.

• "I always make the distinction between partisan and political, because Jesus is one of the most political figures in history," Spiegel told Axios. "We cannot expect the gospel not to be political. Jesus came to speak truth to power. How is that not political?"

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