August 11, 2010

The Rt. Rev. Peter James Lee, former bishop of Virginia and currently interim dean of San Francisco's Grace Cathedral, has been named as interim dean of General Theological Seminary in New York, according to a press release.

Lee's responsibilities at Grace Cathedral come to an end on Sept. 26 and he will join GTS thereafter. He will also be on the Chelsea, Manhattan-based campus during orientation week to meet and greet students, the release said.

The Very Rev. Ward B. Ewing, GTS' 12th dean and president, announced in December 2009 his intention to retire.

The seminary's trustees, following the advice of a search committee, decided in June 2010 to divide the post of dean and president into separate positions. On June 9, the Rev. Lang Lowrey was selected as interim president and "charged with financial and administrative oversight of the school and was vested with all the constitutional powers previously lodged with the dean and president," the release said. "Meanwhile the search continued for a new interim dean to be responsible for day-to-day operations of the seminary, including oversight of its academic programs."

As with many of the Episcopal Church-affiliated seminaries, GTS has experienced financial setbacks during the past two years. The seminary recently secured a $5.3 million short-term loan to finance the upcoming school year.

Lowrey said of Lee's appointment: "We are extremely fortunate to have Bishop Lee's notable gifts and proven abilities. He has a unique ability to shepherd others during these challenging times of change. Bishop Lee has an in-depth knowledge of the Episcopal Church, its ministry, and its current needs and trends in theological education, which he has gained over a lifetime of distinguished leadership."

Lee served the Diocese of Virginia as bishop from 1985-2009. Raised in Florida, Lee earned his undergraduate degree from Washington and Lee University in 1960. He served as an intelligence officer in the U.S. Army and was decorated for his service in Seoul, Korea. He also had a brief career as a newspaper reporter and editor and studied law at Duke University before entering Virginia Theological Seminary where he received his Master of Divinity degree in 1967. Ordained to the diaconate in 1967 and the priesthood in 1968, Lee served parishes in Florida and in Washington, D.C. He served for 13 years as rector of the Chapel of the Cross in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

Lee currently serves as chair of the board of trustees of the Church Pension Fund and was co-chair of the joint nominating committee for the current presiding bishop. He previously served as a member of the board of directors of the Presiding Bishop's Fund for World Relief, the predecessor to Episcopal Relief & Development, and was chairman of its grants committee. He also served as a member of the clergy at Washington National Cathedral.

"A central aspect of Bishop Lee's lifelong ministry has been his service to a variety of educational institutions," the release said, noting that he has served as chairman of the Virginia Theological Seminary's board of trustees and also as a member of the board of the Berkeley Divinity School at Yale. "As bishop of Virginia he also presided at the annual meetings of the Church Schools of the Diocese and served as rector of the board of the Episcopal High School..."

According to the release, in recent meetings with GTS faculty members and staff, Lee "spoke enthusiastically of the chance to work collaboratively" with Lowrey and the seminary's leadership "to realize fully the many opportunities currently before General."

"I believe the Episcopal Church needs to have a seminary in this most international of cities," he told staff members. "General has always been a grand flagship in theological education and my plan is to do everything possible to see that this important ministry to the church continues and flourishes."

Lee and his wife, Kristy, who have been married for 45 years, have two grown children and five grandchildren.

Episcopal News Service