The Catholic Archdiocese of Accra has made some realignments of Churches to their proper Deaneries in accordance to their geographical locations.
“I write to inform you that some Churches have been realigned into their proper Deaneries. This realignment takes effect tomorrow Wednesday, March 01, 2023,” a statement signed by Fr. Emmanuel Darfour Appah, Secretary to the Archbishop of Accra said.
“All affected Churches should kindly take note and comply,” the February 28 statement addressed to all Priests, Religious and Lay Faithful of the Archdiocese stated.
According to the release made available to the Newswatchgh.com, St. Peter at Adjen Kotoku, and Divine Mercy, Papase, formerly of Kpehe Deanery would now belong to Kaneshie Deanery while St. Joseph, Obom, and outstations, formerly also of Kpehe Deanery would now also belong to Kaneshie Deanery.
The statement noted that St. Bakhita, Amasaman, and outstation, formerly of Kpehe Deanery would now belong to Kaneshie Deanery; Mary Mother of Good Counsel, Airport West, formerly of Osu Deanery now belongs to Kpehe Deanery.
St. Patrick, Kwabenya, and St Louis, Parakou, formerly of Madina Deanery would now belong to Kpehe Deanery while Divine Mercy Catholic Church, Okponglo, formerly of Osu Deanery now belongs to Madina Deanery.
What are Deaneries
In the most recent Code of Canon Law, Bishops are given the authority to assemble Parishes into smaller geographical groups. These groups of parishes within a Diocese were then put under the care of a “dean” and called “deaneries.”
The word “dean” is derived from the Latin decanus, originally referring to a leader in charge of ten people.
The purpose of this arrangement is to assist the bishop in his administration of the diocese. Often a diocese is a large geographical region and in order to govern the diocese effectively, the bishop needs deans to help oversee the parishes and ensure they are functioning properly.
In some cases when the Bishop is not able to physically be present for an important ecclesial event, the dean will be appointed as his representative. For example, often a dean will install a priest as the new “pastor” of a parish.
While deans do not have much official authority to enact legislation in parishes, they are the local representatives of the bishop. If there is an issue with a parish or priest, lay people are instructed to consult the local dean first. Then, if the issue is not resolved, the dean is supposed to present the problem to the bishop.
In areas where there are many Catholics stretched over a large area, deaneries are an effective tool that help the bishop maintain unity among his flock.
By Newswatchgh.com
