John Kitagawa

The Rev. Canon John E. Kitagawa is the 17th Vice President of the House of Deputies.  In accordance with the Canons, John was appointed by President Julia Ayala Harris and confirmed by the Executive Council on 17 June 2026.  He is the first Asian American to hold this office.

John will serve as Deputy for the 12^th time at the Phoenix General Convention (4 times from Maryland, 8 times form Arizona).  He has chaired or served on a variety of Legislative Committees, as well Interim Bodies.  Currently, he is Board Chair for the Episcopal Coalition for Racial Equity and Justice.  John was Rector of St Philip’s in the Hills Parish in Tucson, AZ, when he retired. Prior to that he served on the Bishop of Maryland’s staff, including being Canon to the Ordinary.  John’s commitment to peace, justice and equity have been at the heart of his ministry from his student days until the present.