Bishop J. Jon Bruno on June 21 appointed the Rev. Canon Charleen Crean as archdeacon of the diocese, effective Aug. 1.
Crean will succeed retiring Archdeacon Joanne Leslie, who has served in that position since 2011.
Bruno also appointed Canon Hank Gatlin of St. Francis’ Church, Palos Verdes Estates, to the newly created position of associate to the archdeacon.
“A new model for the role of archdeacon in our diocese is necessary as our diocese continues to grow,” Bruno wrote in a letter to clergy and lay leaders announcing the appointments. “I have selected two people who I believe have the ability to nurture and support the deacons of Los Angeles in their ministry and who will find new ways to encourage and raise up diaconal ministries from the communities deacons typically serve.”
Crean, who has been a deacon for 32 years, is an associate in the diocese’s Office of Formation and Transitions Ministry and serves at All Saints Church, Pasadena. Gatlin, coordinator of shared ministries at St. Francis’ Church, has served as a Fresh Start facilitator for deacons and is a member of the Deacons Council.
Of retiring Archdeacon Leslie, Bruno wrote, “Joanne has diligently worked to increase the numbers of deacons in our diocese and educate others about this sacred order. The gift that the deacons are to our community is unquantifiable.”
Addressing Leslie, a devoted justice activist, he wrote, “I am sure we have not seen the last of your work among us; after all, you are a deacon.”