PC(USA) advocacy committee issues statement supporting Bishop Budde

LOUISVILLE — Throughout the history of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), women have faced adversity with courage and perseverance, breaking barriers to pave the way for future generations. Margaret Towner was ordained in 1956 as the first woman Minister of Word and Sacrament in the PC(USA). She faithfully served as a pastor and Christian educator, exemplifying steadfast determination.

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In 1974, Katie Geneva Cannon became the first African American woman ordained in the Presbyterian church. Against all odds, she not only earned a postgraduate degree but also became a trailblazer in both the congregational and academic spheres. Rebecca Reyes was ordained in 1979 as the first Hispanic woman in the southern branch of the church, the Presbyterian Church of the United States, knowing the road ahead would be difficult. That same year, Elizabeth Kwon became the first Korean American woman Minister of Word and Sacrament after transferring her ordination to the UPCUSA. In 1987, Holly Haile Smith Davis made history as the first Indigenous woman ordained in the PC(USA).

These women, and countless others, faced challenges on the floors of presbyteries, within local congregations and in the broader church. Their perseverance has created a legacy upon which  generations of women now stand. Recently, their strength was echoed on the floor of the 226th General Assembly, where women spoke boldly against injustice, ensuring that their voices were heard.

This legacy of courage and truth-telling is mirrored in the actions of Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde, who preached a message of mercy from the pulpit of the National Cathedral. For proclaiming the Gospel, she has faced ridicule, threats, and attacks. Yet, like the women who have come before her, she remains steadfast in her calling.

The Advocacy Committee for Women and Gender Justice, a standing committee of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), stands in solidarity with Bishop Budde. We condemn the hate-filled rhetoric directed at her and call for an end to such threats. Her witness reminds us of the courage of the women at the tomb who, when the disciples were huddled in fear, were the first to encounter the risen Christ. Christ entrusted them with the message of the Resurrection, charging them to go and tell the good news.

It is this tradition of perseverance, bold proclamation, and unwavering faith that sustains us today. We honor those who have gone before us, and we stand firm in the Gospel’s call for justice, mercy and love.