Canon Law Summary
A Vicar forane, who is also called a dean or an archpriest or some other name, is a priest who is placed over a Deanery (vicariate forane). See Code of Canon Law for more detail.
The Diocesan Bishop appoints the Dean, having consulted the priests who exercise ministry in the deanery. The Diocesan Bishop may enact Diocesan particular law to determine another mode for choosing the Dean (e.g. election, or some formal method of consultation prior to appointment).
The Bishop may appoint any priest as Dean and the office is not necessarily attached to any particular parish. The appointment is to be for a precise term and does not enjoy stability. For a just cause the Diocesan Bishop may freely remove the dean from office.
Over and above any special faculties that he may enjoy from Diocesan particular law or by delegation from the Diocesan Bishop, the Dean should be the key element in the pastoral life of the Deanery. his role is first of all that of promoting and co-ordinating, supporting and helping. After that he may be considered a troubleshooter to solve local problems. As with all ecclesiastical offices, the letter of appointment should specify the rights, duties and obligations attached to it.
In this Diocese
There are thirteen Deaneries for information about which click on the link here.
The Bishop has entrusted the Deans of the Diocese with the pastoral care of the priests in their deaneries. In discussion with the Deans the Bishop is aware of the concerns of the priests and deacons, pastoral initiatives and needs; while the Deans promote an understanding of diocesan policy in the deanery.
Link to the Bishop
The Deans meet with the Bishop as a group three times a year and as individuals as often as needed
Meetings: Agendas and Minutes
The Agenda for the meeting of Deans is prepared by one of the Vicars General. Each Dean is invited to bring to the meeting key items of interest or concern from his Deanery.
The minutes of the Deans meetings are recorded by the Bishop's Secretary and circulated to the Deans. Each Dean presents a report, based on the minutes, at the next convenient Deanery Meeting.
