What is a Vicariate?

Canon law requires that dioceses be divided into parishes, but it also recommends that parishes be grouped together regionally so that there can be a better coordination of pastoral action among them. These groupings, commonly referred to as “deaneries,” are called “vicariates forane.”

They are entrusted to a priest who is called a “vicar forane,” “dean,” or “archpriest” and who uses the honorific “Very Reverend.” This priest is responsible for helping the parishes of the vicariate collaborate in the most effective way.

Over the years, the vicariates in the Diocese of Madison have been periodically reconfigured to meet the needs of the time. The prominence of the vicariate as an organizational structure and of the vicar forane as a local leader have also varied throughout the years, and during some periods the institution has been more or less dormant. As parishes are merged and pastorate communities are coming together, through the vicariates, there can be further collaboration to serve the people of those areas.

Mississippi River Vicariate

The vicariate in the western part of the diocese is comprised of the parishes of:

• St. Joseph the Worker Pastorate
• St. Dominic Pastorate
• St. Isidore the Farmer Pastorate
• Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament Parish
• St. Pius of Pietrelcina Pastorate
• St. Augustine University Parish

Vicar Forane: Fr. Steve Brunner, VF, parochial administrator of St. Joseph the Worker Pastorate

Wisconsin River Vicariate

The vicariate in the northwestern part of the diocese is comprised of the parishes of: 

• Ss. Joachim and Anne Pastorate
• St. John Paul II Pastorate
• Mary, Mother of Mercy Pastorate

Vicar Forane: Fr. Miguel Galvez, SJS, VF, parochial administrator of Mary, Mother of Mercy Pastorate

Green Lake Vicariate

The vicariate in the northeastern part of the diocese is comprised of the parishes of:

• St. John Henry Newman Pastorate
• Mater Dei Parish
• Nativity of the Lord Pastorate

Vicar Forane: Msgr. James Gunn, VF, pastor of Mater Dei Parish

Rock River Vicariate

The vicariate in the southeastern part of the diocese is comprised of the parishes of:

• Christ the King Pastorate
• Queen of Martyrs Parish
• St. Jane Frances de Chantal Pastorate
• St. Cletus Pastorate

Vicar Forane: Fr. David Wanish, VF, parochial administrator of St. Cletus Pastorate

Lake Monona Vicariate

The vicariate in the eastern part of the diocese is comprised of the parishes of:

• St. Teresa of Calcutta Pastorate
• St. Thérèse of Lisieux Parish
• Epiphany of the Lord Parish
• Stella Maris Parish

Vicar Forane: Fr. Tim Renz, VF, pastor of St. Thérèse of Lisieux Parish

Lake Wisconsin Vicariate

The vicariate in the central part of the diocese is comprised of the parishes of:

• St. Francis of Assisi Pastorate
• St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish
• Holy Cross Parish
• Divine Mercy Parish (Madison-Verona-Paoli)

Vicar Forane: Msgr. Kevin Holmes, VF, pastor of Divine Mercy Parish

Lake Mendota Vicariate

The vicariate centered around the Madison area in the diocese is comprised of:

• Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish
• St. Thomas Aquinas Parish
• Queen of Apostles Parish
• Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish
• Blessed Sacrament Parish
• St. Paul University Parish
• Cathedral of St. Bernard of Clairvaux

Vicar Forane: Fr. Brian Wilk, VF, pastor of Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish