Presiding Bishop’s Health Concerns Prompt Changes to Consecration Program

Reeves to Serve as Chief Consecrator; Matthews to Speak at Clergy Luncheon

The Office of Presiding Bishop Michael Curry has announced that health concerns will prohibit him from participating in the consecration of the Rev. Dr. Sally J. French as the 13th Bishop of the Diocese of New Jersey on June 24. The Chief Consecrator at the ceremony will be the Rt. Rev. Mary Gray Reeves, Vice President of the House of Bishops and former Bishop of El Camino Real in California.

“The necessary process of diagnostic appointments, treatment, and follow-up will take some weeks,” the Office of Public Affairs said in a statement. “To prioritize rest, and in keeping with doctors’ orders to avoid air travel in the near term, Bishop Curry will not do any in-person events for the remainder of June.” Curry was hospitalized over Memorial Day Weekend for mild internal bleeding and a new instance of heart arrhythmia.

“While I am disappointed to learn that Bishop Curry will not be with us later this month, I am glad that he will be taking time to rest and heal,” said French. “Please join me in praying for health and strength for our Presiding Bishop, for comfort for his family, and for wisdom for his medical team. I give thanks for the Presiding Bishop’s staff and the support they have offered to the Diocese of New Jersey, and I am looking forward to their presence with us on June 24.”

For the clergy luncheon on June 23 the Rt. Rev. Victoria Matthews, the first woman ordained a bishop in the Anglican Church of Canada, will take Curry’s place as speaker.

The Ordination and Consecration of the XIII Bishop of New Jersey will be held at 10:00 a.m. on June 24 at Trinity Cathedral in Trenton. The public is invited to attend the consecration either in person or online at dioceseofnj.org/live, or at diocesan social media channels. In-person attendance requires advance registration.

Consecration Donations

Statement from Office of Public Affairs

Update: Presiding Bishop Michael Curry to receive ongoing monitoring and pause travel for June

Following a recent hospital stay that detected internal bleeding and a new instance of heart arrhythmia, Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Michael Curry is receiving thorough testing and monitoring to understand the relationship between his medication for atrial fibrillation and the episode of internal bleeding.

The necessary process of diagnostic appointments, treatment, and follow-up will take some weeks. To prioritize rest, and in keeping with doctors’ orders to avoid air travel in the near term, Bishop Curry will not do any in-person events for the remainder of June.

Bishop Curry remains grateful for the outpouring of prayers and well wishes, and he covets your support moving forward. The Office of Public Affairs will share updates as they become available.

About Bishop Reeves

The Rt. Rev. Mary Gray-Reeves, M.Div, was the third bishop of the Diocese of El Camino Real in California, serving from 2007–2020. She is currently Vice President of the Episcopal Church’s House of Bishops, and Managing Director of the College of Bishops.

About Bishop Matthews

The Rt. Rev. Victoria Matthews was Bishop of Christchurch in the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia from 2008 until 2018. In 1994, she became the first woman ordained bishop in the Anglican Church of Canada when she was made a suffragan bishop of the Diocese of Toronto. She later served as the Bishop of Edmonton from 1997 to 2007.

Room Block Still Available

We have a block of rooms available at the Westin Princeton at Forrestal Village with a discounted rate should you need a room for the weekend. Please book by Monday, June 12 via this link.