U.S. Episcopal Church elects first black presiding bishop

[Eugene]

Source: Reuters

US | Sat Jun 27, 2015 5:32pm EDT

U.S. Episcopal Church elects first black presiding bishop

BY VICTORIA CAVALIERE

The U.S. Episcopal Church elected its first black presiding bishop on Saturday at its general conference in Salt Lake City, where members of the Christian denomination discussed its position on same-sex marriage, gun violence and outreach.

Faith leaders of the Episcopal Church, a branch of the 80-million member worldwide Anglican Communion, elected Bishop Michael Curry of North Carolina to replace outgoing Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori, the first female to lead the Protestant denomination.

Curry, 62, was one of four bishops up for election to lead the two-million member church. He won by a landslide with 121 votes, compared to his closest competitor who earned 21 votes, according to results posted online.

His election will bring the first person of color into the church’s top leadership office, the Episcopal News Service said.

The presiding bishop serves a nine-year term. Curry will take over the helm on November 1.

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Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/06/27/us-usa-episcopal-bishop-idUSKBN0P70UL20150627

[shenmue]

1. :)

[AtheistCrusader]

2. Why does it take these orgs so long to reach these milestones, do you suppose?

[kwassa]

5. Presiding Bishops are only elected every nine years.

Bishops as the office becomes open.

First openly gay bishop was in 2003. This had a worldwide impact on the Anglican communion, which is still fighting over it.

First woman priests were ordained in 1974. The Philadelphia Eleven.

The first woman bishop was elected in 1989, Barbara Harris, who is also African-American. Though long retired and in her 80s, she preached at my church a few weeks ago. She was advocating for civil rights, and gay rights, back in 1989. She also marched with MLK in the marches in the South. She does not mince words.

The first African American Episcopal priest was consecrated in 1806, Absalom Jones.

The first African American bishop was James Holly in 1874.

[cbayer]

3. That surprises me. About time.

[hrmjustin]

4. Was thrilled at to hear Bishop Curry's election.

May God grant him strength and wisdom to govern the Episcopal Church.