Michael Curry (bishop) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Most Reverend Michael Curry |
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| 27th Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church | |
Curry in 2018
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| Church | Episcopal Church |
| Diocese | Non-territorial/non-metropolitical |
| In Office | 2015–2024 |
| Predecessor | Katharine Jefferts Schori |
| Successor | Sean W. Rowe |
| Other posts | Bishop of North Carolina |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | June 1978 (deacon) December 1978 (priest) |
| Consecration | June 17, 2000 by Robert Hodges Johnson |
| Personal details | |
| Born | March 13, 1953 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Spouse | Sharon Clement |
| Children | 2 |
| Education |
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Michael Bruce Curry (born March 13, 1953) is an American retired bishop. He was the 27th Presiding Bishop and leader of the Episcopal Church. He was chosen for this important role in 2015. He was the first African American to be elected to this position. Before that, he was the Bishop of North Carolina from 2000 to 2015. His time as Presiding Bishop ended on November 1, 2024. Sean Rowe took over the role.
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Early Life and Education
Michael Curry was born in Maywood, Illinois, near Chicago. His family came from North Carolina and Alabama. His grandfather and great-grandfather were Baptist ministers. His parents, Dorothy and Kenneth Curry, became Episcopalians. They joined the Episcopal Church because it allowed people of all races to worship together, even when other places were segregated. Michael's mother passed away when he was young. His father and grandmother raised him.
Curry went to public schools in Buffalo, New York. He graduated with high honors from Hobart College in 1975. He then earned a Master of Divinity degree in 1978 from Yale Divinity School. He also studied at other places like Princeton Theological Seminary and Wake Forest University.
Becoming a Priest
Michael Curry became a deacon in June 1978 and a priest in December 1978. A deacon helps the church in many ways, and a priest leads worship and cares for the community.
He served in several churches:
- St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Winston-Salem, North Carolina (1978–1982)
- St. Simon of Cyrene Episcopal Church in Lincoln Heights, Ohio (1982–1988)
- St. James' Episcopal Church in Baltimore, Maryland (1988–2000)
During his time as a priest, he helped people in many ways. He offered support during difficult times, started summer camps for children, and helped bring new investments to city neighborhoods.
Serving as a Bishop
On February 11, 2000, Michael Curry was chosen to be the eleventh bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina. When he became a bishop on June 17, 2000, he made history. He was the first African-American diocesan bishop in the Episcopal Church in the southern United States. Many bishops attended his special service, including Robert Hodges Johnson and Barbara C. Harris.
As a bishop, he worked on many important projects. He served on the board of the Alliance for Christian Media and led the board of Episcopal Relief and Development, which helps people in need. He also traveled a lot, speaking and teaching at churches and conferences across the country.
Bishop Curry cared deeply about social justice. He spoke out about fair immigration rules and equal rights for all people, including marriage equality. He also helped the Diocese of North Carolina raise $400,000 to buy malaria nets. This effort saved over 100,000 lives.
Leading the Episcopal Church
On May 1, 2015, Michael Curry was nominated to be the 27th Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church. This is the highest leadership role in the church. The election took place on June 27, 2015, in Salt Lake City. Curry was chosen by a large number of votes on the very first try.
He officially became the Presiding Bishop on November 1, 2015, during a special service at Washington National Cathedral. The service included readings in Spanish and Native American languages, showing the church's wide reach.
Revival Tours
In 2017 and 2018, Bishop Curry started a series of "revival tours." These events aimed to inspire people and help Episcopalians share their faith. They also welcomed people who were not part of a church to join the "Jesus Movement." These tours took place in different parts of the United States and even in Honduras. The series ended with a special event with the Church of England.
Working with the Anglican Communion
In January 2016, leaders from the global Anglican Communion met at Canterbury Cathedral in England. This was the first meeting for Michael Curry as Presiding Bishop. During this meeting, there were some disagreements among the leaders. They decided to work together to heal these differences. Bishop Curry was chosen to be part of a special group to help rebuild trust.
Meeting the Pope
In October 2016, Bishop Curry was part of a group of Anglican leaders who visited the Vatican in Rome. They met with Pope Francis, the leader of the Roman Catholic Church. This meeting celebrated 50 years since the Archbishop of Canterbury and Pope Paul VI first met in 1966. It was an important step in building friendship between the Anglican and Catholic churches.
The Royal Wedding
Bishop Curry was invited by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to give the sermon at their wedding. The wedding took place on May 19, 2018, at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle in England.
His sermon, which lasted about 14 minutes, was very powerful. He spoke about the amazing power of love, using fire as a symbol. He quoted Martin Luther King Jr. and other important figures. His energetic style was noticed by many people watching the wedding around the world. After the wedding, Bishop Curry became very well-known internationally.
Other Important Services
Bishop Curry also led other important services. On September 1, 2018, he was the officiant for the state funeral of Senator John McCain. A few months later, he led the funeral service for former President George H. W. Bush at the Washington National Cathedral. He also gave a special address at a program celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 8 mission to the moon.
Honors and Awards
Michael Curry has received many special honors. Several theological schools have given him honorary degrees, including Yale Divinity School and Virginia Theological Seminary.
In 2015, Elizabeth II, the Queen of England, appointed him a serving brother of the Order of St John. In 2019, he received the James Parks Morton Interfaith Award. This award recognizes people who work to bring different faiths together.
Personal Life and Health
Michael Curry is married to Sharon Clement. They have two daughters together.
In 2018, he had surgery for prostate cancer. In late 2023, he had another surgery to remove a gland. He was also hospitalized in December 2023 for a "brain bleed" caused by a fall. He had a similar issue in 2015. After having a pacemaker inserted in March 2024, he returned to his public duties in May 2024.
Published Works
- Love Is the Way: Holding On to Hope in Troubling Times. New York, NY: Avery. 2020. ISBN: 978-0525543039.
See also
In Spanish: Michael Bruce Curry para niños
- Historical list of the Episcopal bishops of the United States
- List of Episcopal bishops of the United States
- List of presiding bishops of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America
