[Episcopal News Service – Salt Lake City] President Barack Obama sent congratulations to Presiding Bishop-elect Michael Curry in a letter dated July 2. Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori, the first female presiding bishop of The Episcopal Church and the first female primate to serve in the Anglican Communion, read the president’s letter to Curry, who was elected June 27 as the first African-American presiding bishop of The Episcopal Church, during the closing Eucharist of the 78^th General Convention.

Here is the full letter of congratulations Obama sent to Curry.

During the closing Eucharist of General Convention on July 3, Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori reads a letter from President Barack Obama congratulating North Carolina Bishop Michael Curry, right, upon his election as the Episcopal Church’s first African-American presiding bishop. Photo: Sharon Sheridan/Episcopal News Service