Deaneries

The Diocese of Memphis in Tennessee is divided into four vicariates forane, also known as deaneries.  A diocesan bishop may establish deaneries to assist in regional planning and decision making, and to improve relationships between parishes.

By design, each Deanery takes into account the diversity of pastoral situations in a given region, improves the efficiency and collaboration of organized pastoral initiatives and better provides for the needs of a particular area of the diocese. 

Deaneries also foster collaboration among parishes in order to share talent and resources.

In establishing the Deaneries, an effort was made to group them in relative proximity to allow easy access to the appointed dean and to allow greater inter-parish partnership.

Priests throughout our diocese were asked to nominate one to three pastors in the proposed Deaneries who could serve as Vicars Forane, also known as Deans or Archpriests, depending on local custom. With extraordinary participation from our priests, a large tabulation of votes was sent to Bishop Talley who, after reviewing the nominations, appointed the four new Deans.

Each Dean serves as an ex officio member of the diocesan Presbyteral Council, which advises the Bishop in important matters in the Diocese.

The ministry of each Dean is important for fostering greater fraternal support among clergy, regional planning and accountability.  They provide fraternal and spiritual support for the priests, especially the newly-ordained and newly-appointed pastors, the elderly and those who may be ill, or in need of special assistance.

To read Bishop Talley’s decree establishing the four new deaneries, please select the “General Decree” tab on the Chancellor’s page.