The Rt. Rev. Michael Curry, an alumnus of Berkeley at Yale (MDiv ’78, DD ’01), has been elected Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church. Bishop Curry, 62, has been been Bishop of the Diocese of North Carolina since 2000. He was the first African-American to head a southern diocese of the church, and now becomes the first to hold its highest office.

Berkeley Dean Andrew B. McGowan hailed the election as a historic one. “Michael Curry offers the Church a clear and charismatic voice that reflects the hope and joy of the Gospel, and focuses clearly on Jesus. His qualities as a Christian leader make him an inspired choice for the years ahead.”

Berkeley awarded Curry the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity in 2001. A native of Chicago, he is a graduate of Hobart and William Smith Colleges. He was ordained in North Carolina and served parishes there and in New York, Ohio, and Maryland before his election as bishop. He is the author of Songs My Grandma Sang and Crazy Christians.

Dean Gregory E. Sterling of Yale Divinity School also offered his best wishes.  “Congratulations to Bishop Michael Curry and to the Episcopal Church,” Dean Sterling said. “Bishop Curry is in a long line of YDS alumni who have become the leaders of their denominations. We are thrilled to see someone of his ability and values leading such an important denomination.”

Bishop Curry is also scheduled to be honored during Yale Divinity School’s Convocation in the Fall, as recipient of the Award for Distinction in Congregational Ministry.

The Presiding Bishop is the chief executive officer of the Executive Council of TEC, serves on key Church-wide bodies, and is its public representative and spokesperson. Bishop Curry takes up office in November.