Deanery

Deanery

A deanery is an administrative division within certain Christian denominations, particularly within the Roman Catholic Church, the Anglican Communion, and the Eastern Orthodox Church. It is typically a group of parishes under the jurisdiction of a dean, who is a senior clergy member. The deanery serves as a middle management structure between the individual parishes and the diocese.

Structure and Function

In the Roman Catholic Church, a deanery is often referred to as a "vicariate forane" or "deanery." It is a subdivision of a diocese and is composed of several parishes. The dean, also known as a "vicar forane," is appointed by the bishop and is responsible for overseeing the clergy within the deanery, ensuring that the parishes are functioning properly, and providing support to the parish priests.

In the Anglican Communion, a deanery is a group of parishes within an archdeaconry, which in turn is part of a diocese. The dean, often called a "rural dean," is appointed by the bishop and has similar responsibilities to those in the Roman Catholic Church. The rural dean acts as a liaison between the parishes and the diocesan authorities, facilitating communication and cooperation.

In the Eastern Orthodox Church, the structure and terminology can vary, but the concept of a deanery as a grouping of parishes under a senior priest is also present. The dean is responsible for the pastoral care of the clergy and the faithful within the deanery.

Responsibilities of a Dean

The responsibilities of a dean typically include:

• Supervising the clergy within the deanery
• Ensuring the proper administration of the sacraments
• Facilitating communication between the parishes and the diocesan authorities
• Organizing deanery meetings and events
• Providing pastoral support to the clergy and the faithful

Related Terms

• Parish
• Diocese
• Bishop
• Clergy
• Archdeaconry
• Rural dean
• Vicar forane

See Also

• Roman Catholic Church
• Anglican Communion
• Eastern Orthodox Church
• Parish
• Diocese
• Bishop
• Clergy
• Archdeaconry
• Rural dean
• Vicar forane