Bishop John Bryson Chane of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington has nominated the Revd Samuel T Lloyd III, an Episcopal priest now serving as rector of Trinity Church, Copley Square, in Boston, Massachusetts, to become the Dean of Washington National Cathedral.

The bishop announced his choice at a meeting of the Cathedral Chapter yesterday. Friday Lloyd's name will be presented to the Board of Trustees of the Protestant Episcopal Cathedral Foundation for approval. If confirmed as expected, Lloyd will assume a position of considerable national prominence. He will oversee an operating budget in excess of $16 million, a staff of nearly 200, more than 1,100 volunteers and the National Cathedral Association with 14,000 members from around the country.

Washington National Cathedral is viewed by many as a national religious institution, which attracts prominent visitors and is the site of many nationally significant events and religious services, and is host to many well-attended forums on vital public issues.

In his statement to the Chapter yesterday, Bishop Chane said his trust in the reputation of Lloyd was one reason for his choice. "Sam Lloyd is a man who is at home as a leader and scholar, a preacher and a pastor," noted Bishop Chane. " I have known of Sam's work and ministry for years and look forward to working with him as a colleague."

Mr Lloyd has served since 1993 as rector of historic Trinity Church, Copley Square in Boston. Earlier in his career he was chaplain of the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee, and rector of the Church of St Paul and the Redeemer in Chicago, Illinois. While an assistant professor of religious studies at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville in the early 1980s, Lloyd also served as assistant to the rector and chaplain at St Paul's Memorial Church in Charlottesville.

In addition to a divinity degree from Virginia Theological Seminary, Mr Lloyd holds a PhD in English literature from the University of Virginia. He also holds literature degrees from Georgetown University and the University of Mississippi. He has also taught in seminaries, and currently serves as a regent of the University of the South, a trustee of the Episcopal Media Center, and a member of the Board of Ministry at Harvard University.

"My years at Trinity Church have focused on developing a community of generous-spirited, intellectually alive, faithful Christians at the center of a major city," Mr Lloyd said. "It is an exciting challenge to engage similar work, only this time for a Cathedral committed to articulating and embodying the Christian faith in ways that can serve the city of Washington, the nation, the Episcopal Church, and the Anglican Communion. I am humbled and honored to be called to this post in these critical times."

Once approved by the Board of Trustees, Mr Lloyd is expected to begin his Cathedral ministry in early 2005. Date for his official installation ceremony has not yet been set.