In the interest of providing for more closer oversight of the spiritual life, pastoral activity and practical needs of all our parishes and mission communities throughout the Eparch if New Westminster. Two “protopresbyterates” – I.e. Deaneries – were created to encompass all the parishes of the eparchy. God willing, more deaneries will be created to suit the needs of new parishes and missions, especially in the more northern areas.
The two new pastoral territories have been named the “Coastal Deanery” to cover the parishes on Vancouver Island and the parishes of British Columbia’s Lower Mainland, with the exception of Abbottsford and Chilliwack. The other sub-territory has been designated as the “Deanery of the Interior” to form a network of the communities from Abbottsford and eastward through the Okanagan Valley and up to Prince George. A few years back, the Eparchy reached out to Whitehorse in the Yukon and just recently the new Dean, Fr. Andrii Chornenkyi, visited Prince Rupert. With an influx of newcomers from Ukraine settling wherever jobs and reasonable housing are available, there is considerable hope that mission efforts will soon develop in the more northern regions of our vast eparchial territory.
Our former Chancellor, Very Rev. Yuriy Vyshnevskyy and present pastor of St. Nicholas Parish in the Provincial Capital of Victoria, was appointed the first Dean of the Coastal Deanery. The Deanery of the Interior was entrusted to the care of Very Rev. Andrii Chornenkyi who serves St. George Parish in Prince George, BC. Some of their communication with the clergy serving within their deaneries may involve travel and visitations, but also with today’s technology, they will be able to accomplish a lot via online meetings and consultation.
A DEAN’S ROLE AND DUTIES
An extensive handbook for Deans has been issued by our Synod of Bishops. as to how deaneries function and the duties and authority of deans. Due to the smaller numbers of both clergy and faithful and the massive territory, the Eparchy of New Westminster wants to begin by simply encouraging communication between the Dean and the local pastors with the goal of enhancing cooperation and coordination among the parishes based on the basic directives offered in common canon law.
Gleaned from the “common” canon law the “Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches” and the “particular” canon law of the Ukrainian Catholic Church, these are some highlights concerning the appointment and the role of a Dean…
– A Dean in an Eastern Catholic Church is officially known as a “Protopresbyter” which comes from the Greek πρωτοπρεσβύτερος (proto “first” and presbyter “priest”) and, thus, basically means “The first or chief among a group of priests”. A Deanery would be referred to in ecclesial law as a “Protopresbyterate”. The terms Dean (декан) and Deanery (деканат) are popularly used in Ukraine.
– The dean is a priest who is placed over a district consisting of several parishes so that, in the name of the eparchial bishop and in the same district, he may fulfil the functions determined by law.
– It is up to the eparchial bishop […] to establish or change deaneries.
– The office of Dean is not connected with a certain parish or city. The Bishop, having consulted the priests of a particular area appoints a priest who is respected and is “outstanding for his doctrine and apostolic fervour”.
– it is the right and obligation of the Dean to:
– coordinate various forms of apostolic work in the ecclesiastical district that has been entrusted to him;
– see to it that clerics lead a life in harmony with their own state and that they diligently fulfil their obligations;
– to take care that clerics have ready access to spiritual helps, and be particularly concerned about those who are found in more difficult circumstances or are beset with problems.
– convoke meetings with clerics, in the district entrusted to him, at least once a month, unless the eparchial bishop determines otherwise;
– to take care that clerics have ready access to spiritual helps, and be particularly concerned about those who are found in more difficult circumstances or are beset with problems.
– preside over all conferences entrusted to him in his district;
– is bound by the obligation of visiting the parishes.
– see to it that the Divine Liturgy and the divine praises are celebrated according to the prescriptions of the liturgical books, that the good appearance and condition of the churches and sacred furnishings are carefully maintained especially in the celebration of the Divine Liturgy and custody of the Divine Eucharist, that ecclesiastical goods are carefully administered and, finally, that the parish house is properly cared for.
– submit a report to the eparchial bishop on the status of his district and all decisions taken at all meetings with the clergy;
– install a presbyter appointed by the eparchial bishop as pastor or any other position, in the name of the eparchial bishop, keeping to the prescriptions of the liturgical books;
– ensure that all collections authorized by the eparchial bishop or higher authorities, are collected in an appropriate manner and submitted to the proper administration.
PRAY FOR YOUR DEANS
The goal of establishing deaneries is not to create another level of bureaucracy, but rather to bring parishes closer together and to facilitate even more cooperation and promote a better sharing of resources and hopes. Local parish priests and parishes can make this work by reaching out to their respective dean and supporting common pastoral and Evangelization efforts within their district.
Pray for our Deans! Pray for all our Priests!