What is the deanery?

Answer 1

In the Catholic Church, canon 374 of the Code of Canon Law grants to bishops the possibility to join together several neighboring parishes into special federations. One possible way to organize these federations is "vicariates forane," or deaneries. Following is the exact description of the code of canon law of the catholic church. Can. 374 §1. Every diocese or other particular church is to be divided into distinct parts or parishes. §2. To foster pastoral care through common action, several neighboring parishes can be joined into special groups, such as vicariates forane. Each deanery is headed by a vicar forane, also called a dean or archpriest, who is-according to the definition provided in canon 553-a priest appointed by the bishop after consultation with the priests exercising ministry in the deanery. Following is the exact description of the code of canon law of the catholic church. Can. 553 §1. A vicar forane, who is also called a dean, an archpriest, or some other name, is a priest who is placed over a vicariate forane. §2. Unless particular law establishes otherwise, the diocesan bishop appoints the vicar forane, after he has heard the priests who exercise ministry in the vicariate in question according to his own prudent judgment. Click the following links for further explanations.

Answer 2

It is an ecclesiastical entity made up of neighbouring parishes as defined by the bishop and headed by the dean, appointed by the bishop in consultation with the priests exercising ministry in the deanery. It is defined in the boundaries of a particular diocese.