December 7 update from Office of Public Affairs: “Following his Dec. 4 surgery for a subdural hematoma, Presiding Bishop Michael Curry is alert and talking, and his surgeon reports being happy with his progress. Bishop Curry sends his gratitude for the outpouring of love, prayers, and support for him and his family during this time.”
December 8 update: The presiding bishop was released from the hospital and is continuing his recovery at home.
By Episcopal News Service Staff
Presiding Bishop Michael Curry fell while visiting Syracuse, New York, and suffered a subdural hematoma, or brain bleed, that required surgery, the Office of Public Affairs said in a news release. The Dec. 3 surgery was successful, and Curry is now recovering in a hospital near his home in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Presiding Bishop Michael Curry is hospitalized while he recovers from surgery to treat subdural hematoma after a fall while he was traveling in Syracuse, New York.
Curry’s present hospitalization comes about 2 and a half months since he underwent surgery Sept. 20 to remove an adrenal gland and a non-cancerous attached mass following treatment earlier for episodes of internal bleeding.
Curry, at 70, is wrapping up the final year of his nine-year term as presiding bishop. He suffered a subdural hematoma at least once before, in the first month of his tenure. A subdural hematoma is usually caused by a head injury strong enough to burst blood vessels, which can then cause pooled blood to push on the brain.
The previous brain bleed likely was caused when he tripped over a curb and hit his head on the morning of his installation, Nov. 1, 2015, although at the time he did not know he had injured himself that seriously. It became apparent a little over a month later when he experienced memory lapse while preaching.
The Dec. 4 news release did not indicate any connection between Curry’s recent emergency and his previous diagnosis of internal bleeding.
“Please pray for Bishop Curry, his family and his medical team,” the news release said.
Kirk Petersen began reporting news for TLC as a freelancer in 2016, and was Associate Editor from 2019 to 2024, focusing especially on matters of governance in the Episcopal Church.
