Funeral Arrangements for Bishop Edward P. Cullen  (May 18, 2023)

The Knights of Columbus have been asked to participate as an Honor Guard during the Visitation of the Bishops Body (Wake) on Thursday, May 18, 2023, from 4:00 PM - 7:30 PM and again on Friday, May 19, 2023, from 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM.

Bishop Schlert's Office has requested (4) Color Corps Members (Guards)  to be at all four corners of the Bishop's Casket during the wake times as is proper for a Priest / Bishops Funeral.

All Color Corps members to do our best to be available to honor this request so that we can work out 15-20 min rotations of the guard.

Obituary of Edward P. Cullen  (1933-2023)

Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Allentown died at Lehigh Valley Hospital – Cedar Crest on Tuesday, 9 May 2023. He was 90 years of age.

Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Bishop Cullen was the son of the late Edward P. Cullen Sr. and Julia (Leahy) Cullen. He is survived by his brother, John Cullen, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sister, Joan, and brothers, Joseph and James.

Bishop Cullen attended Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary, Overbrook, where he received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1958 and a Master of Divinity Degree in 1974. Bishop Cullen also attended the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, where he earned a Master’s Degree in Social Work. In 1971, Bishop Cullen obtained a Master of Education Degree at La Salle University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Bishop Cullen was ordained to the Priesthood on 19 May 1962 by His Eminence John Cardinal Krol, Archbishop of Philadelphia, at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, Philadelphia.

Bishop Cullen’s first pastoral assignment for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia was Parochial Vicar, Saint Maria Goretti, Hatfield, Pennsylvania; Parochial Vicar, Saint Bartholomew, Philadelphia; Chaplain, Saint Hubert High School, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Chaplain, Sisters of Mercy Convent, Merion, Pennsylvania; Chaplain, Saint Edmond’s Home for Crippled Children, Rosemont, Pennsylvania.

During the course of his priestly ministry for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, Bishop Cullen served as Assistant Director, Secretariat for Catholic Human Services; Director, Secretariat for Catholic Human Services; and Vicar for Administration.

Bishop Cullen was named an Honorary Prelate of His Holiness on 24 April 1982.

Bishop Cullen was consecrated an Auxiliary Bishop for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia on 14 April 1994 and appointed the Titular Bishop of Paria in Proconsolare. He took as his episcopal motto: Christ – Church – Compassion.

On 16 December 1997, Bishop Cullen was appointed the Third Bishop of the Diocese of Allentown and was installed on 9 February 1998.

On 30 July 2009, Bishop Cullen was granted the honorary title of Bishop Emeritus, Diocese of Allentown, Pennsylvania.

RECEPTION OF THE BODY & VISITATION

The Rite of the Reception of the Body will take place on Thursday, 18 May 2023 at 4:00 p.m. at the Cathedral of Saint Catharine of Siena, Allentown. Most Reverend Alfred A. Schlert, Bishop of Allentown, will receive the body and preside.
Calling hours will be held on Thursday, 18 May 2023 from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. and Friday, 19 May 2023 from 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

VIGIL SERVICE

A Vigil Service will be held on Thursday, 18 May 2023 at 7:00 p.m. at the Cathedral of Saint Catharine of Siena. Most Reverend Alfred A. Schlert, Bishop of Allentown, will preside. The Homilist will be Reverend Monsignor Victor F. Finelli, Judicial Vicar and Pastor, Saint Joseph the Worker Parish, Orefield.

FUNERAL MASS

A Mass of Christian Burial for Bishop Cullen will be celebrated at the Cathedral of Saint Catharine of Siena, 1825 West Turner Street, Allentown, Pennsylvania, on Friday, 19 May 2023 at 11:00 a.m. by His Excellency, Most Reverend Nelson J. Pérez, Metropolitan Archbishop of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Homilist will be His Excellency, Most Reverend Alfred A. Schlert, Bishop of Allentown.

BURIAL

Interment will be held following the Funeral Mass in the Bishops’ Crypt at Resurrection Cemetery, Allentown.

May God grant him the joys of Eternal Life.