The Archdiocese of Philadelphia has announced the appointment of new regional deans and a new deanery structure by which its 214 parishes are organized across five counties in Southeastern Pennsylvania.
Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez shared the information in a letter to the faithful Monday, July 1.
“In response to demographic changes over the past thirteen years there has been a need to adjust the boundaries of the deaneries so that pastoral ministry may be carried out in the most effective way possible to serve the faithful of the Church of Philadelphia,” he said.
The regional Deans assist the Archbishop by sharing in the pastoral care and governance of our local Church.
Each Dean is responsible to and works most closely with the auxiliary bishop who acts as the Archbishop’s liaison to their Episcopal Region.
This year, a dedicated deanery for parishes within the Hispanic Ministry Apostolate has been established.
Episcopal Region I (Delaware and Chester Counties)
Bishop John J. McIntyre is entrusted with the pastoral care of Episcopal Region I. This region covers 950 square miles. It is composed of four deaneries and 66 parishes.
Reverend John P. Masson, Dean and Pastor of Saint Bernadette of Lourdes Parish, Drexel Hill has been appointed Dean of Delaware County East Deanery.
Reverend Monsignor Michael J. Matz, Dean and Pastor of Saint John Neumann Parish, Bryn Mawr has been appointed Dean of Delaware County West Deanery.
Reverend Christopher B. Rogers, Dean and Pastor of Saint Patrick Parish, Kennett Square has been appointed Dean of Chester County West Deanery.
Reverend Stephen F. Leva, Dean and Pastor of Saint Joseph Parish, Downingtown has been appointed Dean of Chester County North Deanery.
Episcopal Region II (Montgomery County)
Bishop Keith J. Chylinski is entrusted with the pastoral care of Episcopal Region II. This region covers 487 square miles. It is composed of three deaneries and 46 parishes.
Reverend Joseph T. Shenosky, Dean and Pastor of Mary, Mother of the Redeemer Parish, North Wales has been appointed Dean of Montgomery County West Deanery.
Reverend Monsignor Charles L. Sangermano, Dean and Pastor of Holy Saviour Parish, Norristown, has been appointed Dean of Montgomery County Central Deanery.
Reverend Monsignor Brian P. Hennessy, Dean and Pastor of Saint Alphonsus Parish, Maple Glen, has been appointed Dean of Montgomery County East Deanery.
Episcopal Region III (Bucks County)
Bishop Christopher R. Cooke is entrusted with the pastoral care of Episcopal Region III. This region covers 622 square miles. It is composed of two deaneries and 30 parishes.
Reverend Monsignor Joseph G. Prior, Dean and Pastor of Our Lady of Grace Parish, Penndel, has been appointed Dean of Bucks County Southeast Deanery.
Reverend Monsignor John C. Marine, Dean and Pastor of Saint Bede the Venerable Parish, Holland, has been appointed Dean of Bucks County Central and North Deanery.
Episcopal Region IV (City of Philadelphia)
Bishop Efren V. Esmilla is entrusted with the pastoral care of Episcopal Region IV. This region covers 143 square miles. It is composed of five deaneries and 72 parishes.
Reverend Joseph J. Kelly, Dean and Pastor of Saint Monica Parish, has been appointed Dean of Philadelphia South and East Deanery.
Reverend Monsignor Federico A. Britto, Dean and Pastor of Saint Cyprian Parish, has been appointed Dean of Philadelphia West and Central Deanery.
Reverend Charles Zlock, Dean and Pastor of Saint Raymond of Peñafort Parish, has been appointed Dean of Philadelphia Northwest Deanery.
Reverend Thomas M. Higgins, Dean and Pastor of Holy Innocents Parish, has been appointed Dean of Philadelphia Near Northeast Deanery.
Reverend Patrick J. Welsh, Dean and Pastor of Saint Matthew Parish, has been appointed Dean of Philadelphia Far Northeast Deanery.
Deanery for Parishes within the Hispanic Ministry Apostolate
Together with Bishop Edward M. Deliman, Bishop Cooke shares pastoral responsibility for the Spanish-speaking Catholic community in our local Church. Apostolates providing pastoral care and the Sacraments for Spanish-speaking Catholics are based in 37 parishes across the five-county region. One deanery has been created to encompass all of them. Reverend Francesco M. D’Amico, Pastor of Saint William Parish will serve as the dean.
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Read the letter from Archbishop Pérez here. Read the supplemental document outlining the new deanery structure and announcing the names of the priests appointed as deans here.
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