Msgr. McCulken appointed rector of the Cathedral Basilica

By NADIA POZO
CS&T Staff Writer

Msgr. Michael T. McCulken has been named pastor of the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul. Cardinal Rigali wil be principal celebrant and homilist at the July 16 installation at 10:30 a.m. The new rector said he is looking forward to serving the parishioners and visitors of the Cathedral when he takes up his new position on June 19.

“As [rector of] the mother church for the Archdiocese, I look forward to welcoming all who come to celebrate the sacraments, or to visit this beautiful church dedicated to the glory of God under the protection of the Apostles, Peter and Paul,” Msgr. McCulken said. “I also look forward to meeting and working with the clergy, parishioners and staff of the Cathedral.”

Msgr. McCulken will continue to work part-time for the Office of the Vicar of Administration, where he has served as assistant vicar for the past eight years.

Ordained in 1976, Msgr. McCulken has served as assistant pastor in Maternity B.V.M, St. Barnabas, and Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Merton and as Parochial Administrator of Presentation B.V.M in Wynnewood.

Over the years, he has also worked in other offices of the Archdiocese, including the Office of Clergy, as assistant director; the Office of the Metropolitan Tribunal, as an approved advocate; the Secretariat for Clergy, as a canonical notary, and as the director of the Vocation Office for the Diocesan Priesthood.

Msgr. McCulken pastoral experience also encompasses his work as Regional Vicar of Delaware County, Chaplain at Archbishop Ryan Girls High School and Associate Director of the CYO of Southeastern Delaware County.

When news came of his new appointment, Msgr. McCulken said he was completely surprised.

“As His Eminence spoke about the appointment, and it began to sink in, I was very excited and felt truly honored,” he said. “I am grateful to His Eminence for the confidence he has placed in me with this appointment.”

As he learns about the sacramental life and pastoral outreach of the Cathedral, Msgr. McCulken notes his gratitude to Msgr. John A. Close, the current rector, for his support and assistance in understanding all those “ins- and-outs.”

“I offer my personal thanks to him for all his work and effort over the years he served as Rector,” he said. “I wish him every blessing as he begins his new pastorate at Saint Katharine of Siena in Wayne.”

Msgr. McCulken asks for prayers in the coming months for him and the clergy, staff and parishioners of the Cathedral Basilica.

“My hope for the Cathedral Basilica is that it will continue to be a beacon of faith, hope and love in Center City, and for the Archdiocese,” he said. “I also hope that we will continue to build upon its many fine traditions, through pastoral service and outreach to all people. All that we do, we do out of love for God and for our neighbor.”


CS&T staff writer Nadia Pozo can be reached at npozo@adphila.org or (215) 965-4614.