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For Immediate Release January 13, 2004 CATHEDRAL ANNOUNCES NEW CANON Washington, DC -- Cathedral Vicar, The Right Reverend A. Theodore Eastman, today announced the Cathedral Chapter’s election of the Reverend Canon Samuel Van Culin to serve as Canon Ecumenist at Washington National Cathedral. A native of Honolulu, Hawaii, he is a graduate of Princeton University and the Virginia Theological Seminary. He was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Divinity from that institution in 1977. Canon Van Culin began his ministry as curate of Saint Andrew’s Cathedral Parish in Honolulu in 1955 and was Canon Precentor there from 1956 until 1958. He then served as assistant rector of Saint John’s Church, Lafayette Square in Washington, DC until 1960, after which he worked as General Secretary for Laymen International and as Assistant Secretary of the Overseas Mission Society of the US Church based in Washington. He then served successively as the Executive Secretary for Africa and the Middle East and World Secretary for the Unit for National and World Mission at the Episcopal Church Center in New York City. In 1976 he was appointed Executive for World Mission for the Episcopal Church USA. Canon Van Culin served as Secretary General of the Anglican Consultative Council from 1983 until 1994 and was Secretary to the Lambeth Conference in 1988. In addition to many other honors, he is a Canon of Canterbury Cathedral, England and Saint George’s Cathedral, Jerusalem. As Canon Ecumenist at Washington National Cathedral, Canon Van Culin will serve as the Vicar’s special assistant and principal advisor and planner on matters regarding the Cathedral’s relationship with other Christian denominations and world religions. Of Canon Van Culin and his appointment Bishop Eastman remarked, “He is without doubt one of the most experienced and knowledgeable persons in the Anglican Communion on ecumenical and interfaith matters. We are very fortunate to have him join our cathedral team.” Canon Van Culin is expected to begin his non-stipendiary duties in late February. Office of Public Affairs |