Royal wedding 2018: Black bishop makes history, mentions slavery in American-style sermon
The gospel group The Kingdom Choir performed ‘Stand By Me’ at the royal wedding, before the Archbishop of Canterbury led Harry and Meghan’s vows.
USA TODAY
Rev. Bishop Michael Curry, primate of the Episcopal Church, infused Harry and Meghan’s nuptials with a passion not usually seen at royal weddings.(Photo: WPA Pool/Getty Images)
As the first African-American to be elected presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church, Curry, 65, had already made history before he set foot in St. George’s Chapel. But he did it again when he stepped up to the lectern to deliver his speech, titled “The Power of Love.”
The spirited address, which quoted Martin Luther King. Jr. and touched on the legacy of slavery, was like nothing ever seen in a British royal wedding service. But then again, this was the first ceremony featuring a biracial bride.
Curry said: “Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said: ‘We must discover the power of love, the redemptive power of love. And when we discover that, we will be able to make of this old world a new world. Love is the only way.’
“There’s power in love,” he added in his own words. “Do not underestimate it. Anyone who has ever fallen in love knows what I mean.”
WATCH: It was Meghan and Harry’s big day, but Bishop Michael Curry stole the show https://t.co/5UQPv0OpO9#royalweddingpic.twitter.com/TIlwQEJkF2
— Reuters Top News (@Reuters) May 19, 2018
Though Curry never uttered the word “slavery,” African-American churchgoers recognized what he was talking about when he quoted There is a Balm in Gilead. An old spiritual, it was sung by slaves who were in “contraband camps” trying to work their way out of bondage by aiding the Union side during the Civil War.
He was followed by gospel choir Kingdom Choir singing Ben E. King’s Stand By Me. Later, black cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason played for the congregation while the newly married couple disappeared from view to sign the wedding register.
Twitter took notice, appreciating the African-American touches and remarking on how uncomfortable some of the older members of the royal family looked during Curry’s speech.
“Bishop Michael Curry is Meghan’s first act of royal modernization,” proclaimed @vptwritenow. “Cut to Camilla looking confused. Welcome to the Black church, Royals.”
Bishop Michael Curry is Meghan’s first act of royal modernization.
Cut to Camilla looking confused. Welcome to the Black church, Royals. #royalwedding
— veronica toney (@vptwritenow) May 19, 2018
“Bishop Michael Curry thinks this is a black church,” noted @MutazElnour. “Beautiful passion but he’s scaring the white folks.”
Bishop Michael Curry thinks this is a black church. Beautiful passion but he’s scaring the white folks. #RoyalWeddingpic.twitter.com/KcE1LJ3Tnw
— Mutaz Elnour (@MutazElnour) May 19, 2018
“Bishop Michael Curry just brought up slavery in front of the queen of England,” @transvetot exclaimed. “Salute a real one when you see him.”
BISHOP MICHAEL CURRY JUST BROUGHT UP SLAVERY IN FRONT OF THE QUEEN OF ENGLAND SALUTE A REAL ONE WHEN YOU SEE HIM
— Wakandan Black Castor Oil (@transvesthot) May 19, 2018
“Bishop Michael Curry is bringing it!” @Ms_Raine wrote. “Quoting MLK and acknowledging slavery in the south. Now he’s bring the FIRE.”
Bishop Michael Curry is bringing it! Quoting MLK and acknowledging slavery in the south. Now he’s bring the FIRE ? lol he got them Brits all shook
— Lorraine (@Ms_Raine) May 19, 2018
“I vowed not to tweet about the #RoyalWedding,” @Beltrew said, “but I am LOVING how un-British and how un-UK-royal the sermon is right now and how the very very white and constrained royal family members are struggling to handle it. Bishop Michael Curry is an absolute legend.”
I vowed not to tweet about the #RoyalWedding but I am LOVING how un-British and how un-UK-royal the sermon is right now and how the very very white and constrained royal family members are struggling to handle it. Bishop Michael Curry is an absolute legend. ✨❤️✨
— Bel Trew (@Beltrew) May 19, 2018
“Meghan Markle has Serena Williams & Gina Torres in London for her wedding, a gospel choir performing, her mama in the front row, and black bishop Michael Curry from Chicago doing a reading,” marveled @MrFilmkritik. “Meghan truly planned her dream wedding.”
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