Deaneries

To Christ’s Faithful of the Archdiocese of Abuja:
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Preamble

The Lord Jesus Christ has entrusted the pastoral care of the Christian Faithful of the Archdiocese
of Abuja to the Archbishop of Abuja. Priests cooperate with the Archbishop in the pastoral care of the Archdiocese: “All priests, whether diocesan or religious, share and exercise with the bishop the one priesthood of Christ. They are thus constituted providential cooperators of this episcopal order” (Christus dominus, n. 28).

In order to make the role of the pastoral care of the Christian Faithful of the Archdiocese of Abuja lighter and effective, 8 deans have been appointed whose role is primarily pastoral, being an extension of the Archbishop’s pastoral role as shepherd. It is an office of apostolic care for the Church in a local area, promoting and sustaining a supra-parochial mission and ministry as
envisaged by the Second Vatican Council, embracing clergy, religious and lay people alike.

Furthermore, the Dean is the Archbishop’s personal representative in the Deanery and acts in this capacity when presiding at liturgical functions, local civic functions, ecumenical activities and
similar events. The necessary authority is delegated to him by the Archbishop for carrying out the duties set forth in this document. The Dean is also a vital channel of communication between the Archbishop and the priests, deacons and people of his Deanery.

Based on the above, on Tuesday, 28th May 2024, I, in conjunction with Lux Terra Foundation organized a day leadership seminar for all Vicars, Finance Administrator, and Deans of our Archdiocese in order to equip them with the tasks ahead. After the successful leadership seminar and prayerful reflection, I have decided to present this pastoral letter on the roles of Deans in our Archdiocese of Abuja.

1. Deanery

Can. 374 §2 stipulates: To foster pastoral care through common action, several neighbouring parishes can be joined into special groups, such as vicariates forane. In the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, this special group of joining several neighbouring parishes, pastoral areas and chaplaincies to foster pastoral care through common action is known as Deanery.

There are eight deaneries in Abuja Archdiocese, namely, Garki Deanery, Karu Deanery, Wuse Deanery, Karmo Deanery, Bwari Deanery, Lugbe Deanery Kubwa Deanery, and Gwagwalada Deanery. The establishment of good communication, and the care for appropriate confidentiality, must be priorities for the good working of the Deaneries and the Archdiocese as a whole.

2. Roles of Deans

2.1 The Archbishop and the Dean

i. The office of Dean is to be exercised in accordance with the prescriptions of Canon Law [Canons 553-555].
ii. The Archbishop will, from time to time, assemble the Deans for discussion, consultation and sharing of good practice.
iii. The Dean may install new parish priests and priests-in-charge.
iv. The Dean may be asked to represent the Archbishop at public functions or services.
v. The Archbishop relies on the Dean to implement, at Deanery level, all major archdiocesan decisions, policies and recommendations.
vi. He must also represent to the Archbishop the views of priests, deacons, religious and people under his pastoral care as the Dean.
vi. The Dean will assist with conflict resolution within the deanery, both ex officio and at the request of the Archbishop.
vii. Working in concert with the Archbishop, the Dean has the obligation to share with him any concerns that he may have about the common good of all the People of God in the Archdiocese.

2.2 The Dean and Priests

i. The Dean’s role is to lead, counsel and assist all the priests in the Deanery in their pastoral ministry.
ii. He should promote priestly fraternity and spirituality, developing a real sense of mutual concern, support and co-operation among all the clergy of his Deanery, encouraging social contacts between them.
iii. As a colleague and friend of all the clergy, secular and religious, they should have recourse to him in case of need or dispute, without prejudice to the right of direct access to the Archbishop.
iv. He should welcome and befriend new parish priests, assistant priests, deacons and religious as they arrive in the Deanery.
v. He should be aware of retired priests living in the Deanery and should arrange for their involvement in the life of the Deanery, communicating any concerns to the priest in overall charge of the sick and retired clergy.
vi. His care extends to priests who are sick, ensuring that proper treatment is being received, that application is made for sick benefits, and that the Archbishop’s Office is informed. If possible, the immediate supply needs should be met by priests within the Deanery- Mass times in the Deanery should be so arranged.
vii. On the death of a priest, the Dean is to have overall responsibility for the funeral arrangements in conjunction with the family and the Archbishop’s Office, and, where appropriate, other priests. He is to organize supplies and ensure that personal and parish property is safeguarded.

2.3 The Dean and the Religious of the Deanery

i. The role and responsibilities of religious in the pastoral life of the Deanery is to be encouraged.
ii. The Dean should also forge good relations with religious communities and institutions which may be established within the Deanery and contributing to the life of the Church.
iii. Be well informed of the numbers of the Religious present in the deanery at any given time, and to note those who settle in the deanery without an official mandate from their Congregations or those not recognized by the Nigerian Conference of Women Religious (NCWR).

2.4 The Dean and the Lay Faithful of the Deanery

i. The role and responsibilities of laity in the pastoral life of the Deanery is to be encouraged. Where representatives, coordinators, chaplains, and other personnel are required for various pastoral activities, the Dean is to ensure that suitable appointments are made.
ii. The Dean may initiate other means for communication, consultation or discussion between the parishes of the Deanery without prejudice to any future Archdiocesan guidelines.

2.5 Other Responsibilities of the Dean

i. Developing and encouraging the implementation of the Diocesan and Deanery plans.
ii. Making a Day’s formal obligatory Pre-Visitation visit to the parishes, pastoral areas and chaplaincies in his Deanery at least once a year to review the registers and books, making any concerns known to the Archbishop. During the visit, he is to take note how the church and sacred furnishings are maintained, the ecclesiastical goods are administered, and the rectory is
cared for.
iii. Making informal simple visits to parishes, pastoral areas and chaplaincies to note the general state of repair and decoration of the property.
iv. Establishing good relations and co-operating with other church and civic leaders.
v. Fostering the linking or merging of parishes, where this may become necessary
vi. Encouraging and monitoring initiatives by lay and religious communities and individuals which may present new opportunities and means of evangelisation and growth in the local church and the Archdiocese.
vii. Keeping the Archbishop informed of initiatives, progress and concerns of a Deanery.
viii. Having the faculty of designating priests as Deanery Chaplains to the Deanery Statutory Groups, Pious Societies, Sodalities, Associations and Movements.

Given this 6th day of June 2024.

Most Reverend Ignatius A. Kaigama
Archbishop of Abuja

Rev. Fr. Sam Tumba
Chancellor