The Office of Public Affairs

The Public Affairs Office provides statistics, biographies, photos, background information, and other resources to media representatives reporting on the mission and ministries of The Episcopal Church

Statement from Presiding Bishop Michael Curry on the passing of Madeleine Albright, first female secretary of state

March 24, 2022
Office of Public Affairs

We mourn the loss of Madeleine Albright, committed Episcopalian and trailblazing ambassador. I am particularly thankful for her guiding belief that religious leaders have an essential role to play in foreign policy, and for her Anglican sensibility in navigating difference and diversity, which she expressed so well in her book, “Madame Secretary”:

“Instead of seeking yet more data to defend what we already think, we need to learn what others think, and why they think it. Instead of conspiring with the like-minded, we need to spend more time learning from those we consider wrongheaded. Even while we challenge the premises of those with whom we disagree, we should take the time to re-examine the logic of our own thinking.”

May she rest in peace and rise in glory.

The Most Rev. Michael Bruce Curry
Presiding Bishop and Primate
The Episcopal Church

Declaración del obispo primado Michael Curry sobre el fallecimiento de Madeleine Albright, primera secretaria de Estado

Lamentamos la pérdida de Madeleine Albright, episcopal comprometida y diplomática innovadora. Estoy particularmente agradecido por su creencia rectora de que los líderes religiosos tienen un papel esencial que desempeñar en la política exterior, y por su sensibilidad anglicana para transitar por la diferencia y la diversidad, lo cual expresó con tanta claridad en su libro Señora Secretaria:

«En lugar de seguir buscando datos para defender lo que ya creemos, debemos saber lo que creen los demás y por qué lo creen. En lugar de conspirar con personas de ideas afines, debemos dedicar más tiempo a aprender de los que consideramos equivocados. Mientras cuestionamos incluso las premisas de aquellos con quienes discrepamos, debemos tomarnos el tiempo para reexaminar la lógica de nuestras propias ideas».

Que descanse en paz y resucite en gloria.

Rvdmo. Michael Bruce Curry
Obispo Presidente y Primado
de la Iglesia Episcopal