Bishop Michael Curry: Preacher who gave sermon at royal wedding to protest Donald Trump outside White House

Protesters condemn 'moment of political, moral, and theological crisis in America'

Emily Shugerman
New York
Wednesday 23 May 2018 23:01 BST
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Bishop Michael Bruce Curry speaks during the wedding ceremony of Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
Bishop Michael Bruce Curry speaks during the wedding ceremony of Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan Markle

The bishop who gave a headline-grabbing sermon at the royal wedding last week plans to protest in front of the White House against the Trump administration.

Bishop Michael B Curry, who spoke about the power of love at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding, will join other religious leaders in a service and candle-lit vigil outside the White House on Thursday.

A statement from the event organisers condemned that they called a “moment of political, moral, and theological crisis in America”.

“We are deeply concerned about the resurgence of white nationalism, racism, and xenophobia; misogyny; attacks on immigrants, refugees, and the poor; the regular purveying of falsehoods and consistent lying by the nation’s highest leaders; and moves toward autocratic political leadership and authoritarian rule,” they wrote.

The organisers invited the public to join in a service of “prayer and gospel proclamation,” followed by a procession to the White House and a silent, candlelight vigil. The purpose of the vigil, they wrote, was to show that the church "will not be complicit, but faithful”.

Royal Wedding: Bishop Michael Curry discussing the importance of the occasion

The organisers are part of a group called “Reclaiming Jesus,” which organises Christian leaders in opposition to bigotry, dishonesty, and authoritarian rule.

More than 20 religious leaders from different congregations signed on to a letter from the group this year, explicitly rejecting US President Donald Trump’s “America first” slogan as “a theological heresy for followers of Christ”.

At least 10 other religious leaders will speak at Thursday’s event, from groups like Evangelicals for Social Action and the Columbia Theological Seminary. The organisers expect at least 1,000 attendees.

“This weekend I spoke about the way of love,” Mr Curry said in a statement announcing the protest. “As elders, we view bringing the Reclaiming Jesus declaration to the public square as a tangible example of how to live out that way of love.

He added: "We are Christian leaders bearing moral witness to the teachings of our faith in the public square.”

Mr Curry was the first African-American leader of the Episcopal Church, and remains an outspoken activist for social justice. His sermon on Saturday – which marked the first time in modern history a person of colour married into the royal family – harkened back to Reverend Martin Luther King Jr, and spoke of the redemptive power of love.

“When love is the way, there's plenty good room – plenty good room – for all of God's children,” he said in his address at St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle." Because when love is the way, we actually treat each other, well... like we are actually family.”

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