Reverend and Dear Father,
Dear Deacon,
There have been discussions at Episcopal
Council and Priest Council meetings about
both the number of deaneries in our Diocese
and about the role of the Dean. Having
heard various considerations and especially
because of the vicariate provision now in
place, I have decided to reduce the number
of deaneries and to appoint directly those
priests who will serve as Deans.
In the Western Pastoral Region, there
will be two deaneries; in the Eastern
Pastoral Region, there will be three; in the
Central Pastoral Region, there will be
seven. This is a reduction of
deaneries from the current twenty-three to
twelve. The attached documents
disclose the parishes and institutions
included in each deanery and the duties of
Dean.
Please note that a few adjustments have
been made to certain parishes and the
Pastoral Regions to which they are
assigned. These include Great Bend,
Jackson, Susquehanna and White Haven.
The effective date for both the new
deanery structures and the appointment of
Deans will be January 1, 2007.
From a reading of the duties of Deans,
you will see that I look upon their efforts
as principally collaborating with the
Episcopal Vicars who, as you know,
collaborate with me in serving the
Diocese. Through this application of
communion and subsidiarity, all the
evangelizing efforts you are making, in
particular to establish Parish Pastoral
Councils, I trust will be both encouraged
and assisted.
Of course, currently, the most crucial
concern for the Diocese is the
implementation of the strategic plan for
schools, soon to be announced. I will
be looking to our Deans to give the
strongest possible leadership to our
parishes in support of that plan.
Let us continue to pray, through the
intercession of Saint John Neumann and Saint
Catherine Drexel, for the building up of the
Church in the Diocese of Scranton.
Grateful as always and with kind personal
regards, I am,
Sincerely yours in Christ,
/s/
Most Reverend Joseph F. Martino, D.D., Hist.
E.D.
Bishop of Scranton
