Dean (religion)
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In religious terminology, a dean is a title accorded to persons holding certain positions of authority within a religious hierarchy. It is used mainly in the Anglican Communion and the Roman Catholic Church.
Anglican Communion
In most of the Anglican Communion the dean is the chief resident clergyperson of a cathedral or other collegiate church and the head of the chapter of canons. He or she is styled "The Very Reverend". Some influential deaneries include the Dean of St Paul's and the Dean of Canterbury. In the Anglican Church of Canada, this person is referred to as "Rector of [Cathedral] and Dean of [Diocese]". Thus, Peter Elliott is Rector of Christ Church Cathedral and Dean of New Westminster.
A dean may also be the head of a group of parishes within a diocese called a deanery. In the Church of England, this official is called a "rural dean" or sometimes, in urban areas, an "area dean" or "regional dean".
The head of an Anglican theological college or seminary may also be called a dean (in common with its use in education).
In the Scottish Episcopal Church a dean is the equivalent of an archdeacon of a diocese. The senior member of the clergy in a cathedral in the Scottish Episcopal Church is a provost.
Roman Catholic Church
In the Roman Catholic Church, a dean is a priest responsible for a number of parishes within a diocese. The office is sometimes referred to as the deanery of the diocese. This function is sometimes titled vicar forane.Another important use of the term within the Roman Catholic Church is in the office of the Dean of the College of Cardinals, currently Angelo Cardinal Sodano.
See also
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