DEVELOPING: Historic Milestone Achieved as US Lutheran Denomination Installs First Black Presiding Bishop

Breaking News: Historic Milestone Achieved as US Lutheran Denomination Installs First Black Presiding Bishop The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) has installed Rev. Yehiel Curry as its first Black presiding bishop, marking a historic milestone for the predominantly white denomination. Curry was formally installed at Central Lutheran Church in Minneapolis on Saturday, beginning his six-year term that started October 1st. He succeeds Rev. Elizabeth Eaton, who served for 12 years and was the first woman to lead the ELCA. The installation of Curry is seen as a significant step towards greater diversity within the denomination. During Eaton's tenure, the conference of bishops shifted from majority men to majority women, with Curry noting that "presence matters" in promoting leadership of color. This development comes at a time when many Christian denominations are grappling with issues of diversity and inclusion. The ELCA has made efforts to increase representation among its leaders, but this milestone marks a major breakthrough for the organization. Curry himself acknowledged the significance of his election, saying "It hasn't really hit me yet... The fact that you're a first." He expressed hope that his installation will pave the way for more leaders of color within the denomination. This is a developing story. Further updates and reactions from the ELCA community are expected in the coming days. *This is a developing story. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available. Based on reporting from Npr.*