Episcopal Church elects first black presiding bishop

SALT LAKE CITY — The Episcopal Church elected its first African American presiding bishop, choosing Bishop Michael Curry of North Carolina during the denomination’s national assembly Saturday.

Curry was elected in a vote by bishops at the Episcopal General Convention, the top legislative body of the church.

The decision was affirmed on a vote of 800-12 by the House of Deputies, the voting body of clergy and lay participants at the meeting.

Curry supports gay rights, speaking against North Carolina's 2012 constitutional amendment that banned same-sex marriage, which is now invalid, and allowing same-sex church weddings in the North Carolina diocese.