American bishop brings human rights focus to royal wedding
He’s the son of an American civil rights activist and the descendant of African slaves. He condemned last year’s white supremacist rally in Charlottesville as fascist and he has outspokenly stood up for gay rights.
The Most Rev. Michael Bruce Curry also plans to join a march on the White House next week that rejects U.S. President Donald Trump’s “America first” stance as “theological heresy.”
The 65-year-old leader of the Episcopal Church was hand-picked by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to deliver a sermon at their wedding Saturday even though the couple had not met him at the time.
The bride and groom haven’t said why they chose Curry, but he’s known as an engaging, impassioned speaker who preaches openness and tolerance. He can be relaxed and jocular at the pulpit, peppering his sermons with jokes and personal anecdotes, but also fiery as he delivers more serious messages.