Largest US Lutheran denomination installs first Black presiding bishop
toggle caption Talia Sprague/AP
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America installed the Rev. Yehiel Curry as its first Black presiding bishop Saturday, a landmark moment for the predominantly white denomination.
"It hasn't really hit me yet," Curry told The Associated Press a week before his installation. "The fact that you're a first."
Curry succeeds the Rev. Elizabeth Eaton, who served for 12 years and was the first woman to lead the ELCA.
During Eaton's tenure, Curry watched as the ELCA conference of bishops went from majority men to majority women.
"I think her presence mattered," he said. "And I'm hopeful that if presence matters that we will start to see more and more leaders of color."
Sponsor Message
A formal ceremony at Central Lutheran Church in Minneap
Continue Reading on NPR
This preview shows approximately 15% of the article. Read the full story on the publisher's website to support quality journalism.