Bishop Duca Appoints New Deans

Bishop Michel G. Duca on Jan. 5 announced that the number of deaneries in the Diocese of Baton Rouge was being reduced from six to five.

On Jan. 29, Bishop Duca announced the new deans: Father Michael Alello, Dean of the Baton Rouge Deanery; Father Matt Dupre, Dean of the South Deanery; Father Reuben Dykes, Dean of the Northeast Deanery; Father Eric Gyan, Dean of the East Central Deanery; and Father Todd Lloyd, Dean of the Northwest Deanery.

According to Episcopal Vicar Father Jamin David,the dean is to  assure that good administrative practices enable the communities of faith to practice good stewardship in all areas of parish life, which include convoking deanery meetings, assuring that parish pastoral and finance councils are operating in accord with the law and promoting formation of clergy by encouraging participation in retreats. Additionally, the dean has the responsibility to assist in several other areas, including substituting for the bishop when necessary and assuring sacramental records are well kept.  Deans also assist pastors and (church) parishes of the deanery by fostering good liturgical practice in accord with the law of the church and diocesan regulations (for example, assuring that vessels and vestments of church parishes are kept in good order).

Father David said a dean also assists the fraternal support of the clergy in his deanery, those in trouble or in need, fosters gatherings of clergy for fellowship, formation and organization; make regular telephone calls and email to the priests of the deanery, visit priests who are hospitalized or in ill health and welcome new clergy into the deanery.

According to Father David, the bishop is free to appoint who he desires in the territory as the dean, but Bishop Duca engaged in a consultative process with each deanery, gaining from the active priests in the area their input regarding the newly appointed deans.

“The reorganization of our deanery boundaries and the appointment of the new deans to serve as co-collaborators between the bishop and clergy of these five territorial regions will facilitate more dialogue to improve effective and efficient operations,” Father David said. “Aside from assuring good structural organization, deans provide an important pastoral resource by gathering clergy for formation and fellowship.”

“Priests rely upon their brother priests for support as do deacons with their brothers, and this has become especially true during the pandemic and when ministry feels isolated,” he added. “The deanery structure reminds us all that we are all part of the body of Christ.” 

The deans have been appointed for a three-year term that began Feb. 1.