Curry served as a priest at St. Stephens Episcopal Church on Highland Avenue in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, from 1978 to 1982 and became bishop of the state in 2000.

The bishop's sermon on the theme of love, delivered with energy and studded with quotes from the bible, Martin Luther King Jr. and African-American spirituals, was a contrast to the more solemn Anglican style the royal family is used to.

Quoting civil rights icon King on the "redemptive power of love," Curry told the bride and groom "it's not just for, and about, a young couple who we rejoice with, it's more than that."

Many observers were surprised and delighted. BBC broadcaster Jeremy Vine tweeted: "The preacher is doing 50 in a 30 zone and it's brilliant."

Supermodel Naomi Campbell hit Caps Lock and tweeted: "BISHOP MICHAEL CURRY GIVING ME LIFE."

Curry, who like Markle's mother has African ancestors who were slaves in the U.S., said that even during their time of bondage, love helped those in captivity persevere.

"When love is the way, we actually treat each other, well, like we are actual family," he said in a sermon that touched on poverty, inequality and the healing power of love.

"When love is the way, we know that God is the source of us all and we are brothers and sisters, children of God and brothers and sisters," he said. "That's a new heaven, a new earth a new world, a new human family."

Harry and Markle exchanged a quick glance at one point as Curry drifted from his prepared remarks and ad-libbed. Camilla and Kate — the Duchess of Cornwall and the Duchess of Cambridge — traded sidelong glances.

Queen Elizabeth II, who as monarch holds the title of Supreme Governor of the Church of England, did not show any sign of discomfort and looked as stoic as she had through the entire ceremony.

There may have been a touch of royal relief when Curry quipped "We gotta get y'all married now." But he kept going, bringing a dash of passion to the pulpit.

The crowds waiting outside for a glimpse of the royal couple loved it. Cheers greeted Curry as he walked uphill from the chapel along the procession route after the service. One man shouted "well done" — prompting a smile and "God bless you" from the bishop.

Former Labour Party leader Ed Miliband, an atheist, tweeted: "Rev Michael Curry could almost make me a believer."

The Episcopal Church is an offshoot of the Church of England in the United States and has been the spiritual home of many of the American founding fathers and U.S. presidents.

Even though its support for gay marriage has recently caused friction with the greater Anglican Communion, Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby said ahead of the ceremony that he was "thrilled" Curry would be speaking there, calling him a "stunning preacher."

Curry, 65, who is married and has two grown daughters, was born in Chicago and raised in Buffalo, New York. After beginning his ministry in North Carolina, he served as rector in Lincoln Heights, Ohio and Baltimore, Maryland.

Link to another article
https://www.episcopalnewsservice.org/2018/05/21/presiding-bishops-royal-wedding-sermon-on-love-draws-global-praise-boosts-episcopal-evangelism/

May 20 post by national newsman - Dan Rather:

I confess I didn't watch the royal wedding, but I do not begrudge anyone who did. The new addition to the House of Windsor, Meghan Markle, promises to be unlike anyone who has occupied a prominent role in the British aristocracy, beginning with her African American heritage.

And that brings me to the part of the nuptials that is perhaps getting the most attention today - the stirring sermon by Bishop Michael Bruce Curry. It was a jolting surprise amidst the pomp and pageantry. The words were a balm for our troubled times, an unapologetic plea for the inclusive power of love, delivered with zest and zeal by the presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church in the United States - the first African American to hold that position. This was about not just romantic love (as befitting a wedding address), but the love of empathy and decency that seems so missing today from many on the world stage, particularly the political leadership of the United States. In its ringing rhetoric and passionate delivery, I could hear the echoes of the currents of faith that helped power the civil rights movement. It is a vision of religion as a force for social good. And it was beauty to behold.

Despite the darkness, there are so many who refuse to give up the light of goodness. Bishop Curry has long been a voice for progressive inclusion, religious and otherwise. That he used the pulpit yesterday to share this good news with the world is a reason for hope. And that he was chosen for that role is hopefully a sign of more to come. I wish them a long and happy life together.

I leave you with an excerpt from the sermon, and a link to watch the entire address. I suggest you take the time to do so.

"Love is not selfish and self-centered. Love can be sacrificial, and in so doing, becomes redemptive. And that way of unselfish sacrificial redemptive love, changes lives and it can change this world.

If you don't believe me, just stop and think and imagine, think and imagine, well, think and imagine a world where love is the way. Imagine our homes and families when love is the way. Imagine neighborhoods and communities where love is the way. Imagine governments and nations where love is the way. Imagine business and commerce when love is the way. Imagine this tired old world when love is the way.

When love is the way, unselfish, sacrificial, redemptive, when love is the way, then no child will go to bed hungry in this world ever again. When love is the way, we will let justice roll down like a mighty stream and righteousness like an ever-flowing brook. When love is the way, poverty will become history. When love is the way, the Earth will be a sanctuary. When love is the way, we will lay down our swords and shields, down by the riverside, to study war no more. When love is the way, there's plenty good room, plenty good room, for all of god's children because when love is the way, we actually treat each other well, like we are actually family. When love is the way, we know that god is the source of us all and we are brothers and sisters, children of god. My brothers and sisters, that's a new heaven, a new Earth, a new world, a new human family."


WIKIPEDIA PAGE FOR REV. CURRY:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Curry_(bishop)