Bishop from royal wedding to march against ‘America First’ policies in DC

Episcopal Presiding Bishop Michael Curry will take part in a candlelight vigil and protest in front of the White House on Thursday, just days after he made headlines for his sermon at the wedding of Britain’s Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. 

Curry will join other church leaders at a vigil starting at Washington’s National City Church on Thursday protesting President Trump’s “America First” policies. 

{mosads}The vigil will then travel to Lafayette Square Park, which is located across the street from the White House. 

The Episcopalian leader is also slated to speak at the event, which is expected to draw 1,000 people. 

The demonstration is part of a declaration signed by various progressive Christian leaders known as “Reclaiming Jesus.” 

“Our churches and our nations are part of an international community whose interests always surpass national boundaries. The most well-known verse in the New Testament starts with ‘For God so loved the world’ (John 3:16). We, in turn, should love and serve the world and all its inhabitants, rather than seek first narrow, nationalistic prerogatives,” the declaration reads. 

“Therefore we reject ‘America first’ as a theological heresy for followers of Christ. While we share a patriotic love for our country, we reject xenophobic or ethnic nationalism that places one nation over others as a political goal. We reject domination rather than stewardship of the earth’s resources, toward genuine global development that brings human flourishing for all of God’s children,” it continues. 

The Hill has reached out to the White House for comment. 

Before the demonstration Thursday, Curry will also meet with members of Congress and take part in a bipartisan morning prayer session, organized by Reps. Bradley Byrne (R-Al.) and Bobby Scott (D-Va.), both Episcopalians.

Curry garnered international attention on Saturday when he delivered an enthusiastic sermon at the royal wedding at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor, invoking the teachings Martin Luther King Jr. 

“The late Dr. Martin Luther King once said, and I quote, ‘We must discover the power of love, the power, the redemptive power of love. And when we do that, we will make of this whole world a new world. But love, love is the only way,'” Curry said. 

“There’s power in love. Don’t underestimate it. Don’t even over-sentimentalize it. There is power, power in love.”