The Very Reverend Canon Dr. Michael Battle is currently Canon Theologian for the Diocese of Los Angeles. He is also Chaplain to the Episcopal House of Bishops and one of the six preachers at Canterbury Cathedral in England. Before coming to Los Angeles Michael was the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Vice President, and Associate Professor of Theology at Virginia Theological Seminary. He has also previously been a professor at Duke University Divinity School and the School of Theology at the University of the South. He has been the Rector of St. Ambrose Episcopal Church in Raleigh, NC, Associate Priest at Church of the Holy Family in Chapel Hill, NC, and Assistant Priest at Christ the Mediator in Cape Town, South Africa where he was ordained in 1993 by Archbishop Desmond Tutu.
A native of New Orleans, Michael grew up in Raleigh, NC. He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Notre Dame and Duke University. He has Masters degrees from Princeton and Yale and a PhD in Theology and Ethics from Duke University. He has written nine books, coauthored more than a dozen others, and published scores of journal articles on subjects such as reconciliation, theology, prayer, and Christian spirituality.
Michael and his wife Raquel have three beautiful children; daughters Sage (8 years old) and Bliss (turning 6 in February) and a 2-year old son, Zion. In his spare time Michael enjoys weight lifting, running marathons, and scuba diving among many other activities.