wfn.org | Episcopalians: Maureen Shea appointed director of Office of Government Relations

[dmack@episcopalchurch.org]

May 13, 2003

2003-105

Episcopalians: Maureen Shea appointed director of Office of 
Government Relations

by James Solheim

(ENS) Presiding Bishop Frank T. Griswold has appointed Maureen 
Shea to head the Episcopal Church's Office of Government 
Relations in Washington, DC.  The announcement comes after an 
extensive search in which over 80 applications were reviewed.  
Griswold met with Shea on May 8 and noted that she is a "person 
wise in the ways of Washington." She replaces Tom Hart, who 
departed as director of the office in February.

Shea is well known to church government offices in Washington, 
having served as a Special Assistant to the President from 
1997-2001 responsible for relations with the religious 
community. "Throughout my career, I have enjoyed the opportunity 
of working in a bipartisan fashion," she said. "I look forward 
to continuing that work with the excellent staff in Washington 
and to adding my voice to the respected and important witness of 
the faith community." 

Shea's past work includes women's issues, health care, voting 
rights, and campaign finance reform. 

She is a long time member of St. Mark's Episcopal Church on 
Capitol Hill and holds a political science degree from Hollins 
College in Roanoke, Virginia. 

"I am delighted with the outcome of the search process," said 
the Rev. Brian Grieves, director of Peace and Justice Ministries 
at the Church Center.  "We had a wealth of talent apply for this 
position representing a broad spectrum of our church.  We met 
many talented Episcopalians along the way.  We interviewed nine 
and could have interviewed twice that number, the pool was that 
deep.  I wish we could have hired them all.  Maureen will be a 
blessing for the work as she joins a very talented and able 
staff."

Grieves, along with the Rev. Richard Parkins (director of 
Episcopal Migration Ministries),  Margaret Larom (World Mission 
Interpretation and Networks Officer) and Vivian Harrison (human 
resource manager), served as the search committee.

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--James Solheim is director of Episcopal News Service.