Bishop Michael Curry brought passion and fire to the Royal Wedding
Sure, people attended and tuned into the Royal Wedding to see Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, but while they were there they really fell in love with Bishop Michael Curry.
The Chicago bishop, whom Markle reportedly invited to speak at the ceremony, dropped serious knowledge about the power of love, ignited sparks of passion with a very long talk about fire, and even quoted Dr. Martin Luther King.
He became the first black presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church in 2015, as BBC notes, and boy did he steal the show.
SEE ALSO: Google celebrates Meghan and Harry's wedding with stunning Doodle
The people of England — many of whom were likely not accustomed to Bishop Curry's contagious energy that's common in places of worship in the United States — and those watching around the world, were loving his sermon.
From the time he stood before an iPad and addressed the audience, to his closing remarks about Dr. King and the power of love, Bishop Curry was adored.
I love this man! Who is he?? #RoyalWedding pic.twitter.com/TcgLiCwHHv
— Kate Halliwell (@Kate__Halliwell) May 19, 2018
Bishop you better take them Royals to black church!!!!! YES!!! 🙌🏽
And now pass the collection plate...#RoyalWedding pic.twitter.com/QPpGMuzcsk— Alex Holley (@AlexHolleyFOX29) May 19, 2018
Bishop Curry is the liveliest priest to ever hit St George's Chapel and the Brits are legit looking frightened #RoyalWedding
— Gloria Fallon (@GloriaFallon123) May 19, 2018
This man is giving me life !!! ♥️ preaching at a Royal wedding 🎩👰🏽 pic.twitter.com/sFSJIfaHPd
— Alison Hammond (@AlisonHammond2) May 19, 2018
Many noted the cultural importance of the bishop quoting Dr. Martin Luther King and mentioning slavery in the south during the impassioned address, since Meghan Markle identifies as mixed-race.
"The late Dr. Martin Luther King once said, and I quote: we must discover the power of love, the redemptive power of love, and when we do that we will make of this old world a new world. For love is the only way," Bishop Curry preached.
"There’s power in love. Don’t underestimate it. Don’t even oversentimentalize it. There’s power, power in love. If you don’t believe me, think about a time when you first fell in love. The whole world seemed to center around you and your beloved. There’s power, power in love," he went on.
Love, Justice, Poverty, MLK, Fire and Slavery in one sermon from Bishop Curry. Amen brothers and sisters, Amen. 🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🙌🏿🙌🏿🙌🏿 #RoyalWedding
— David Lammy (@DavidLammy) May 19, 2018
Bishop Curry down by the riverside to study more no more! Where is his church. I am going!!
— AprilDRyan (@AprilDRyan) May 19, 2018
Quoting Dr. Martin Luther King from the altar of a British royal wedding. This sermon by Rev Michael Bruce Curry is very American, very boisterous, very passionate. Love it.
— katie rosman (@katierosman) May 19, 2018
Meghan planned this wedding like pic.twitter.com/ax8cQuUxOo
— Kate Halliwell (@Kate__Halliwell) May 19, 2018
This is brilliant from Bishop Curry - some amazing facial expressions all around! "We're going to sit down, we gotta get y'all married!" Beatrice giggling, Zara open-mouthed in disbelief! #royalwedding
— Emily Nash (@emynash) May 19, 2018
I know this is Meghan’s day, but can we take a moment to appreciate Doria?
She raised a woman who is revolutionizing the British monarchy as we watch. Bishop Curry’s sermon alone, is a big deal.
I hope she knows how much everyone appreciates her. #RoyalWedding pic.twitter.com/GEcXq4MIZi— Celeste P. (@Celeste_pewter) May 19, 2018
“We must discover the power of love, the power, the redemptive power of love. And when we discover that we will be able to make of this old world a new world."
-Bishop Michael Curry quotes Martin Luther King at the #royalwedding pic.twitter.com/ZSEFs59A0U— Shomari Stone (@shomaristone) May 19, 2018
Curry got a lot of praise for discussing the concept of "fire," explaining, "Fire makes it possible for us to text and tweet and email and Instagram and Facebook and socially be dysfunctional with each other."
"Fire makes all of that possible and de Chardin said that fire was one of the greatest discoveries in all of human history. And he then went on to say that if humanity ever harnesses the energy of fire again, if humanity ever captures the energy of love, it will be the second time in history that we have discovered fire."
This Bishop Curry is bringing more animation than I’ve ever seen in a royal wedding, and he’s talking love and fire and even slavery...and all with an iPad in front of him. He’s awesome! #RoyalWedding pic.twitter.com/eymX857sl6
— Nai Mei (@naimeiyao) May 19, 2018
That uh.. Royal wedding tho. Lol.
My favorite moments:
1. The kid holding the train.
2. A 10 minute talk about fire
3. The Queen's outfit. 👑— 👑 Miakling (@MasterMikaling) May 19, 2018
“Wakanda forever!” - Bishop Curry
Church of England: #RoyalWedding pic.twitter.com/GUg3rf1sFp— Bradley E. Williams (@B_RadWill) May 19, 2018
Bishop Curry received a whole lot of love from friends, fans, following the ceremony, and even took a photo with the 19-year-old cellist who performed at the wedding.
With @PB_Curry ahead of the service #royalwedding pic.twitter.com/xYaq0pU0GU
— Sheku Kanneh-Mason (@ShekuKM) May 19, 2018
You can watch the Bishop Curry's sermon here, but be warned, it's pretty great.