What Is A Deanery?

What is a Deanery?

Under canon law, the bishop has the ability to group parishes into regional areas, usually according to their geographic location.  Canon 374 paragraph 2 states, “To foster pastoral care through common action, several neighboring parishes can be joined into special groups, such as vicariates forane.” Vicariates forane are also known as deaneries.  The geographic groupings make sense, practically speaking, so that the priests and parishes of that region can collaborate. The Deanery structure provides an important bridge between the ministry of the Bishop and the People of God throughout the Diocese. It must reflect the pastoral care and guidance which the People of God rightfully expect from their Bishop.

The office of Dean, or Vicar Forane, ought to be considered primarily pastoral and not just juridical or administrative. In his duty of vigilance, in his apostolic solicitude, and in his animation of the local clergy and laity for joint pastoral activity within the Deanery, the Dean makes visible the Bishop’s active concern for the entire flock, which is the local Church. The Dean is also responsible to and collaborates most closely with the Bishop in offering guidance and support to his brother priests. Depending on the situation, the Dean may work with and communicate concerns regarding priest personnel to the Vicar for Clergy or other issues to the Vicar General. You can find your deanery below:

*Denotes multiple church locations within the parish