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Dean (religion)





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 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