The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is installing the Rev. Yehiel Curry as its first Black presiding bishop on Saturday, a landmark moment for the predominantly white denomination.

Curry succeeds the Rev. Elizabeth Eaton, who served for 12 years and was the first woman to lead the ELCA.

A formal ceremony at Central Lutheran Church in Minneapolis kicks off Curry's six-year term, which began Oct. 1. He was elected at the ELCA Churchwide Assembly on July 30 in Phoenix.

"I'm hopeful that, if presence matters, me being here does something for allowing others to consider, 'Someone who looks like me, or is from my community, or speaks with an accent, or their mother tongue isn't English [could take on a similar role]'," Curry said in a statement when elected.

American Lutheranism

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