Walker to Assume Washington Deanship
Episcopal News Service. September 29, 1977 [77309]
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- After Jan. 17, the Bishop of Washington will be dean of his own cathedral.
In a move designed to coordinate the missions of diocese and cathedral, the Rt. Rev. John T. Walker announced at the outset of his episcopacy that he would not nominate a successor to the Very Rev. Francis B. Sayre. Dean Sayre will retire on Jan. 17 from the Cathedral post he has held for 26 years.
Bishop Walker announced the move in a statement in which he said that his episcopacy would be guided by the principles of his predecessor, the Rt. Rev. William F. Creighton, with possible "differences in emphasis and style." He added, however, "I see my role in the life of the Cathedral somewhat differently."
The bishop cited a year-long study of the life and mission of the cathedral which called the cathedral the "chief mission church of the diocese," and noted its unique role in the nation's capital; its mission to the people of Washington and the ecumenical fellowship in the United States.
The report concluded: "Harnessing the resources of Mt. St. Alban (the cathedral site which includes schools, residences and diocesan offices) in a common task under a single leader, the Bishop of Washington, offers opportunities for service to the church and community envisioned by the founders of the Cathedral."
Bishop Walker, who was installed as Bishop of Washington Sept. 24, explained that he will serve as "chief liturgist and spokesman of the Cathedral" and has already committed himself to participation throughout the year and at all major festivals of the Church. Noting that he could not effectively serve as the daily operating head of the cathedral, he said that he would appoint his diocesan executive officer, the Rev. Canon Charles A. Perry as provost of the Cathedral Foundation, thus further combining the visible witness of diocese and cathedral.
He called on the two policy-making bodies, the Cathedral Chapter and the Diocesan Council, to work together to assist him in effecting the transition without loss of present program or resources.
Known throughout the Church as the "National Cathedral," the Cathedral Church of SS Peter and Paul sits on the highest point within Washington. The stillunder-construction gothic cathedral serves also as the symbolic see of presiding bishops of the Episcopal Church. The cathedral has suffered in the current financial crisis to the point where staff and peripheral services -- such as publications -- had been trimmed and the continued construction seemed to be in jeopardy.
In his statement, Bishop Walker said he hoped to see the completion of the cathedral and called this a good time to "reshape the mission and emphasize the larger ministry of the Cathedral with the office of the bishop."