[Episcopal Church Office of Public Affairs press release] Updated versions of the poster and booklet featuring all 42 black bishops who have been elected in the Episcopal Church prior to two recent elections are now available from the Office of Black Ministries.

The men and women featured in the materials include: the first black bishop in the Episcopal Church, Bishop James Theodore Augustus Holly, consecrated in 1874 as the Bishop of the Diocese of Haiti; the first African-American woman bishop, the Rt. Rev. Barbara Harris of Massachusetts; and the first African-American Presiding Bishop, the Most Rev. Michael B. Curry. There have since been two elections: the Ven. Carl Wright was elected bishop suffragan for armed services and federal ministries on Sept. 20 and the Rev. Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows was elected bishop of the Diocese of Indianapolis on Oct. 28.

“Over the past 142 years, 42 black bishops have been consecrated in the Episcopal Church prior to the two most recent elections,” noted the Rev. Angela Ifill, missioner for black ministries. “The bishops come from the African Diaspora, as well as Africa. The African Diaspora includes people of African descent from throughout the world living in the United States, the Caribbean, Central America and South America and other countries.   People of African descent have a long proud heritage in the Episcopal Church.”

The poster and booklet can be ordered here. Cost is $15 which includes shipping.

For more information, contact Ifill at aifill@episcopalchurch.org.