A video of the Episcopal Bishop of Washington speaking at the inaugural prayer service of U.S. President Donald Trump went viral. Many who watched the video commented that she had the courage to speak truth to power. Rt. Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde, the Episcopal Bishop of Washington, appealed to President Trump to "have mercy" on the LGBTQ community and undocumented migrant workers.

"Let me make one final plea, Mr. President," Bishop Budde said in her 15-minute sermon. "Millions have put their trust in you. And as you told the nation yesterday, you have felt the providential hand of a loving God. In the name of our God, I ask you to have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared now," she stated.

Referring to thousands of immigrants without proper documentation, she said, "The people who pick our crops and clean our office buildings; who labour in poultry farms and meatpacking plants; who wash the dishes after we eat in restaurants and work the night shifts in hospitals—they may not be citizens or have the proper documentation. But the vast majority of immigrants are not criminals. They pay taxes and are good neighbors."

Reacting to her speech, Trump called Bishop Budde in a social media post "a Radical Left hardline Trump hater" who "brought her church into the world of politics in a very ungracious way."

Only a person of extraordinary courage and moral fibre can make such an appeal to the president of the most powerful nation in the world, especially knowing Trump's arrogance and vengeful nature. Despite tremendous pressure to apologise, Bishop Budde remained firm in her statements. "I don't hate the president, and I pray for him," she said. "I don't feel there's a need to apologise for a request for mercy."

The phrase "speaking truth to power" has become synonymous with courageously confronting authority, calling out injustices, and demanding change. It also means standing up for what is right despite potential risks or repercussions.

History bears witness to many courageous individuals who have spoken truth to power. The prophets of the Old Testament—Nathan, Jeremiah, and Micah—serve as excellent examples. Nathan challenged and reprimanded King David after David's affair with Bathsheba. Jeremiah urged the King of Judah to do justice and righteousness. Micah demanded justice for the poor and oppressed.

Prophet Amos was highly critical of the false religiosity promoted by the priestly class and the neglect of justice. He proclaimed, "I hate and despise your religious festivals; your assemblies are a stench to me. Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them. Though you bring choice fellowship offerings, I will have no regard for them. Away with the noise of your songs. I will not listen to the music of your harps. But let justice roll like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream." (Amos 5:21-24)

Leaders of the Syro-Malabar Church, who insist on the trivial issue of facing the altar during the Holy Mass, should recall Amos' words and feel ashamed of the damage they have caused to the people of God. Their arrogance in punishing those who "speak truth to power" is not only harming a vibrant Church but also destroying themselves.

John the Baptist and Jesus are shining examples of speaking truth to power in the New Testament. "It isn't right for you to take your brother's wife!" John bluntly told King Herod (Mark 6:18). When Jewish leaders warned Jesus that Herod wanted to kill him, Jesus retorted, "Go tell that fox, 'I will keep on driving out demons and healing people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach my goal.'" (Luke 13:32).

When Fr Stan Swamy, an 83-year-old priest dedicated to empowering tribal communities, was falsely accused under UAPA, imprisoned, and even denied a simple sipper to drink water, how many Indian Church leaders dared to speak truth to power as John the Baptist and Jesus did?

Jesus fiercely condemned Jewish religious leaders for their hypocrisy, greed, and exploitation of people. He criticised them for burdening the people with heavy obligations, seeking fame and power, shutting the doors of the kingdom in people's faces, and neglecting justice, mercy, and faithfulness (Matthew 23:1-36). He was speaking truth to power.

Consecrated women and men in the Catholic Church are expected to play a prophetic role within both the Church and society. Their vow of obedience should not make them subservient to authorities but empower them to stand for truth and justice. Out of more than 1,30,000 consecrated women and men in India, how many dare to speak truth to power?

Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., and Nelson Mandela demonstrated extraordinary courage in speaking truth to power while defending the rights of their people. They paid a heavy price for their convictions. In a democracy like India, elected representatives are duty-bound to speak truth to power, defend people's rights, and protest against injustice. However, many MPs and MLAs, especially from the ruling party, often justify atrocities against citizens exercising their democratic right to dissent. Social and environmental activists are branded as anti-nationals or members of the "tukde tukde gang" (splinter gang).

In a democracy, the media—often called the "fourth pillar"—is expected to speak truth to power by exposing government failures and injustices. Unfortunately, most mainstream media outlets in India are reluctant to present the truth. Many newspapers and TV channels act as government propaganda tools, earning them the nickname "Godi media." Their omissions and commissions betray their duty to inform the public.

A recent example of the failure of the Indian media is their reporting on the deaths of pilgrims during the Maha Kumbh Mela stampede on Mauni Amavasya day. The Yogi Adityanath government of Uttar Pradesh did not reveal casualty figures for 17 hours after the tragedy. The mainstream media repeated the Chief Minister's version that a crowd jumped barricades, leading to injuries. Only after 17 hours, following condolences from the Prime Minister and Home Minister, did UP government officials admit that 30 people had died and 60 were injured.

Meanwhile, foreign media and social media platforms suggested that the actual death toll was much higher than the official figures. The delay of the UP government to release the list of the deceased had fuelled suspicions, particularly among opposition parties, that the real death toll might exceed a thousand. However, the mainstream media failed to question the government's opacity, instead siding with the administration to suppress the truth.

The Hindutva ideology of the ruling BJP is fundamentally opposed to the teachings of Jesus and the core values of the Indian Constitution. Followers of Jesus, particularly consecrated women and men, have a responsibility to oppose this ideology by being prophetic and speaking truth to power. Sadly, many consecrated women and men are not even interested in knowing what the Hindutva is. Instead of transforming them into the disciples (shishya) of Jesus, the conservative and fundamentalist elements in the Church are influencing a large chunk of them to become devotees of Jesus, forgetting and neglecting their prophetic role.

There is an urgent need to motivate and prepare Christians to speak truth to power, especially when BJP governments and right-wing organisations have unleashed hatred and violence against Muslims and Christians in their efforts to convert India into a Hindu Rashtra. Now, more than ever, the call to be prophetic must be heeded for the sake of justice, equality, and truth.