N.S. youth group writes letters in support of U.S. bishop's plea to Donald Trump

A youth group from St Paul United Church in Westville, N.S., has written letters to Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde in support of her sermon at the Washington National Cathedral on Jan. 21.

Budde, the Episcopal Bishop of Washington, made headlines by calling on U.S. President Donald Trump, who attended the sermon, to "have mercy" on immigrants and 2SLGBTQ+ people.

"She's speaking against the mentality of marginalizing those who are already marginalized, of oppressing those who are already oppressed," said Rev. Mary Taylor, the minister at St Paul.

"That mentality has a foothold in Canada and we need to be vigilant in making sure that we speak against it."

Taylor, who's been the minister at St Paul for seven years, says she thought the 15-minute sermon would make for a great youth group discussion about inclusivity.

"Watching the sermon made me realize just how many people that this is really going to affect and how many people need to be heard that aren't necessarily being heard." said Grade 10 student Keighley Brooker, one of three students who wrote letters.

Three members of the youth group sent letters. A fourth letter was sent on behalf of the group.

Trump, who recently signed an order restricting gender-affirming care for people under 19, reacted to Budde's remarks by demanding a public apology. He called her a "Radical Left hard line Trump hater" on social media.

But Budde did not apologize.

"I think with Donald Trump in the room, it was like she was kind of talking back to him and that was really brave because sometimes it's hard to talk to people when they're in the room," said Grade 8 student Felisity Dykeman. "It's easier when you can't see them."

Taylor said she feels fortunate to live in a community that allows her to speak comfortably in support of transgender and immigrant communities. She knows that's not always the case.

She said it is more important now than ever "that the positive gets heard."

"I think that's what our youth group is constantly trying to do by sharing their positivity when they go out into the world."