The late Pope Benedict XVI created “Personal Ordinariates” in 2011 and 2012 to welcome and serve Anglicans who wish to enter into full communion with the Catholic Church. In the time since their creation, Pope Francis expanded membership in these special jurisdictions well beyond those original Anglican groups who wished to join. Because of this enlarged mission of evangelization, Ordinariate communities are composed of a wide variety of people including converts from many different traditions, Catholic re-verts, as well as cradle Catholics who have come to know and appreciate the venerable English Mass.  

The Ordinariate of the Chair of Saint Peter is one such diocese created by Pope Benedict XVI in 2012. Shepherded by his Excellency Steven J. Lopes, the diocese includes nearly forty Roman Catholic communities across English speaking North America.

The Deanery of St. John the Baptist was established in order to help Bishop Lopes better tend his Canadian flock. The Deanery has offices in Calgary, Alberta and administrates one parish (St. John the Evangelist, Calgary) and four communities in various stages of formation. The Very Rev’d Fr. Robert-Charles Shane Bengry was appointed Dean of the Deanery by the Bishop and the Rev’d Deacon Joseph DeCaria was appointed Vice-Dean.