Tale of Two Bishops
Oklahoman Bishop Cox will be greatly missed. He entered eternal rest just shy of his 104th birthday and shortly before the Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde humiliated his former denomination and America.
As the New York Post reported, “Budde made a direct appeal to [President Donald J. Trump] during a post-Inauguration prayer service he attended on Tuesday, asking him to show mercy to members of the LGBTQ+ community and migrants who are in the country illegally.” It was a purely political tirade unfit for church.
The Episcopal Church in Oklahoma, Tennessee, and South Carolina attracted my loyalty and support for fifty years because they maintained loyalty to the Bible, but as a confirmed confessing member, they later betrayed the faithful in Christ to ordain a practicing homosexual as a bishop. Elevating anyone to a leadership position who is living a public or private life contrary to scripture is not allowed by scripture. With millions of other Americans, I left the Episcopal Church to become an Anglican.
Some faithful struggled to correct Episcopal leadership, but leadership was determined to preach sin. They seized our churches, schools, graveyards, and expelled bishops that disagreed with the LBGT+whatever agenda. Even retired bishops were persecuted, expelled, and impoverished for supporting the Word of God.
One point of faith cannot be compromised; to be a Christian, one must believe in the Word of God according to Christ. In the opinion of many, Episcopalians are not now Christians no matter how they may dress or robe up, pretend, or protest.
Sadly, many Americans have not recognized how the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America (PECUSA) now worships contrary to Christian faith. From Bishop Budde’s remarks, however, they are now shown worldwide to be more political than faithful. Her remarks would have greatly troubled Bishop Cox.
Unbelievers should know that all Christian churches welcome sinners (as all are) in the church individually but elevating someone to a leadership position who is living a life (public or private) contrary to scripture is not allowed by scripture.
I left the Episcopal Church to become an Anglican. Bishop Cox made the same transition before me and he was my spiritual mentor.
Born in eastern Kentucky and raised in southern Ohio, Bishop Cox dedicated his life to ministry, spending over 30 years serving as a priest and bishop in Maryland and Oklahoma.
As the Anglican Diocese of the Living Word posted on their Facebook, Bishop Cox served in the United States Army during World War II and the Korean conflict, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. Following his ordination to the diaconate in 1957, he began his ministry in Cumberland, Maryland, uniting two mission congregations into the vibrant Church of the Holy Cross. He also led civic initiatives, including the establishment of Allegany County’s first extended care facility.
Consecrated Suffragan Bishop of Maryland in 1972, he later served as Assistant Bishop in the Diocese of Oklahoma. Bishop Cox faithfully ministered to 46 mission congregations, focusing on renewal, evangelism, and healing. Bishop Cox’s leadership extended far beyond local ministry. He served as President of the Appalachian People’s Service Organization, championed initiatives for elder care, and contributed to the Episcopal Church’s Standing Commission on Evangelism. In 1985, he was appointed Chaplain to Episcopal World Mission, supporting missionaries worldwide.
Given his strong commitment to the Bible and personal faith in Jesus Christ, Bishop Cox left The Episcopal Church and transferred to the Anglican Church in North America. Within the Anglican Diocese of the Living Word, he was a cherished bishop and valued member of the Anglican Church of the Holy Spirit in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Bishop Cox leaves behind a legacy of faith, humility, and service that will inspire generations. He will be deeply missed but joyfully remembered as a man who walked humbly with God and faithfully answered His call.
In contrast, Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde was last noticed conducting a media tour.
In honor of Bishop Cox, this writer will not further opine but will pray for Bishop Budde. It is not easy, but the best we can do for those determined to be lost.
Episcopal bishop earning taxpayer millions to bring migrants into US
Published Jan. 31, 2025, 1:49 p.m. ET New York Post
The story continues: Episcopal Bishop Mariann Budde’s sermon to President Trump during an inaugural prayer service, coupled with her church’s advocacy for humanitarian immigration programs, reveals a striking hypocrisy — one that could be seen as self-serving and even a conflict of interest. https://nypost.com/2025/01/31/opinion/episcopal-bishop-lectures-trump-while-earning-taxpayer-millions-to-bring-migrants-into-us/
This reminds me of what happened to my original denomination, Methodist. I left when the pastor preached pro abortion from the pulpit. I joined my husband’s church. Since then, the church separated. The members who believe in the Christian doctrine as explained by the founder, John Wesley, had to move to a different denomination.