All Saints' Cathedral in Milwaukee Installs First Trans-Identifying Dean

The Episcopal Church has installed the Very Rev. Micah Cronin as the dean of All Saints' Cathedral in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Cronin, who began her tenure on August 16, is widely reported to be the first trans-identifying individual to serve as a dean within the denomination. In an introductory message to the congregation, Cronin shared her personal journey, noting that she transitioned to identifying as a man at age 19 and found a welcoming environment within the Episcopal Church after leaving her Methodist upbringing.

Cronin is married to the Rev. Elias Henry, a trans-identified pastor serving at a Lutheran campus ministry in Milwaukee. The appointment occurs as The Episcopal Church continues to navigate a long-term decline in membership. Official data indicates that the denomination's active baptized membership fell from approximately 2 million in 2010 to 1.547 million by 2023. Recent reports also highlight a decrease in annual baptisms and the consolidation of dioceses, including the merger of three Wisconsin dioceses into a single regional body in 2024.