If the diocesan websites of Ireland are to be believed, Ireland has only one diocesan chancellor who is not a priest. This is Sr Mary Lyons JCD, the chancellor of the Archdiocese of Tuam. She is a rare exception to what appears to be the norm in the dioceses and archdioceses of Ireland.
In some Irish diocesan websites, the chancellor is not named, but usually in such a case, it is generally presumed that the diocesan secretary (a priest) fills the role of chancellor. Where the diocesan secretary is not a priest, invariably a priest is then named as the chancellor.
Her Masters in Divinity prepared her for this and every pastoral role, along with her commitment to seeing her every relationship in pastoral terms
Twelve diocesan websites name a priest as the chancellor: Armagh, Dublin, Down & Connor, Dromore, Derry, Clogher, Kilmore, Meath, Elphin, Achonry, Clonfert, and Galway. No chancellor’s name is listed on the diocesan website of 13 more dioceses: Cashel & Emly, Raphoe, Ardagh & Clonmacnois, Kildare & Leighlin, Ossory, Ferns, Waterford & Lismore. Killala, Killaloe, Limerick, Kerry, Cloyne and Cork & Ross.
Teresa Kellendonk is the Chancellor of the Diocese of Victoria, Canada, and she is the third such appointment in the diocese. Ms Kellendonk is a mother, wife and daughter, and comes from a background in pastoral ministry, having spent terms as a pastoral associate in a parish, in chaplaincy ministry in a hospital and having carried out a similar role in prison ministry. Her Masters in Divinity prepared her for this and every pastoral role, along with her commitment to seeing her every relationship in pastoral terms. She works closely with Bishop Gary Gordon, who believes it important that men and women take leadership roles in that diocese. This is one reason why both the Chancellor and the Chief Financial Officer in his diocese are women.
It’s interesting that the Code of Canon Law does not insist that the chancellor be a priest. It does specify that the chancellor must be of “unimpaired reputation and above all suspicion” (in Can. 481) but these characteristics are hardly confined to the clergy. Other tasks entrusted to the chancellor by the code are to “take care that the acts of the curia are gathered, arranged and safeguarded” (Can. 482). This would hardly seem onerous, but in practice a chancellor has much more wide-ranging responsibilities than these. While the ‘moderator of the curia’ (i.e. of the diocesan centre staff) has to be a priest according to canon law, Ms Kellendonk takes a parallel role, acting as coordinator of the diocesan administration, thus making sure that all who work in the diocesan offices gel together meaningfully.
In the Diocese of Victoria, as in every diocese, the chancellor acts in the name of the bishop and collaborates closely with him in his administrative tasks, as well as with key figures such as the vicar general, episcopal vicars, schools superintendents and financial officers. Her most sensitive tasks involve human resources, in particular overseeing clergy, religious and lay applications for parish ministry, prior to Bishop Gary granting declarations of suitability. Her role in assisting parishes with their human resource requirements is equally appreciated. As an interviewer for ministry positions at any level, she is a keen listener, not slow to speak her truth.
In addition to the above, the diocese sees it as essential that she participates in meetings of the official diocesan bodies like the Council of Priests, Consultors, general clergy and school boards meetings, the Personnel Board and Finance Committee. Her previous work in safeguarding while working in Edmondton Archdiocese has given her a passion for responsible ministry and a safe environment for ministry, a challenge shared by every diocese and parish across the world.