U.S. bishop's fiery 'love' speech highlight of royal wedding

American BishopMichael Curry electrified the wedding of Prince Harry and MeghanMarkle with a barnstorming sermon on the power of love that wonsmiles in the ancient British chapel and praise across theinternet.

Curry, the first African-American head of the Episcopal Church in theUnited States, started by quoting civil rights hero Dr. MartinLuther King and powered on citing spirituals, medieval poetryand the experiences of slaves in the American south.

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"There'spower in love. Do not underestimate it. Anyone whohas ever fallen in love knows what I mean," he said at the startof a 14-minute address that jolted the congregation after a longperiod of serene choral music and formal ceremony.

By the end, he was referring to Harry and Meghan as "mybrother, my sister," and telling them "God love you, God blessyou" before the opening notes of the soul standard Stand By Mestarted up.

Meghan smiled throughout, as Harry looked on intently.

"It was a moment for African-Americans. It was like we wereat church. It was the word that love conquers all," said KarenLong from Houston, Texas, who came to Windsor with her sisterand friend, all dressed as bridesmaids.

"It was a perfect blend between her culture and the royalculture. As an African-American woman, it was made in heaven,"she said.

Bishop Michael Curry gives 'love' sermon at royal wedding

6 years ago

Duration 0:42

U.S. bishop's fiery speech highlight of Harry and Meghan's nuptials

The reaction online was overwhelmingly positive.

"Quoting Dr. Martin Luther King from the altar of a Britishroyal wedding. This sermon by Rev. Michael Bruce Curry is veryAmerican, very boisterous, very passionate. Love it," said NewYork Times reporter Katie Rosman on Twitter.

Karen Attiah, global opinions editor of the Washington Post,called the whole wedding "an overt celebration of black Americanculture."

"I wrote back in the fall that I didn't think Meghan Marklewas going to be very outspoken about race once she married intothe Royal Family. Maybe she will prove me wrong?," Attiahtweeted.

Glances and giggles

Members of the Royal Family, including Harry's brotherPrince William, could be seen on TV smiling during the lengthyaddress.

Some commentators took to Twitter to point out the facialreactions in the chapel to the bishop's sermon. In particular, aclose-up of the Queen's granddaughter, Zara, with her mouth openbecame a focus for social media. Harry's cousin PrincessBeatrice was spotted giggling.

Barely glancing at the transcript of his speech on a tabletcomputer in front of him, Curry talked directly to acongregation that included Queen Elizabeth and celebrities suchas Oprah Winfrey, Elton John and Carey Mulligan.

He told them that love was not just for married couplesbutpart of God's plan with the power to change lives.

"Dr King was right: 'We must discover love, the redemptive power of love, and when we do that, we will make of this old world a new world,'" Curry said in hushed tones, grasping the lectern.

"Imagine our neighbourhoods and communities when love is theway. Imagine our governments and countries when love is theway," he said in a rare nod to politics during a highlyorchestratedstate occasion.

The Episcopal Church is the U.S. arm of the AnglicanCommunion which also includes the Church of England, headed bythe Queen. The U.S. churchhas taken aliberal stand on social issues,including allowing gay marriage, an issue with which the Anglican Communion has struggled.

Curry was born in Chicago in 1953 and went on to become thebishop of North Carolina. At his installation at the head of theEpiscopal Church in 2015, he called for economic and racialunity at a time of rising racial tensions.

In 2016, he said he lamented the decision by the widerAnglican Communion to slap sanctions on the U.S. church over itssupport of gay marriage.

Go to CBC on YouTubeto hear the full sermon.