On Thursday, Aug. 31, Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory announced the appointment of Deacon Dennis Dorner as chancellor of the Archdiocese of Atlanta.

Deacon Dorner, who was ordained to the permanent diaconate in January 2004, has been serving as the director of deacon personnel for the archdiocese since previous director Deacon Alfred Mitchell retired at the end of 2005. Deacon Dorner will continue as director in addition to his new role as chancellor.

As the chancellor, Deacon Dorner will work closely with the archbishop and the vicars general, serving as diocesan notary, meaning he is responsible for the archives and sacramental records.

Among the new duties for the chancellor will be the formation and development of an archdiocesan pastoral council. Deacon Dorner will also provide assistance to parish and mission communities with updating by-laws of their parish councils and finance councils.

In addition, Deacon Dorner will work to develop the annual archdiocesan calendar of events for chancery departments and will be responsible for the official archdiocesan pictorial directory of clergy, religious and archdiocesan staff.

Deacon Dorner, a native of Ohio, and his wife, Susan, have been married for over 33 years and are the parents of four children and grandparents of one grandchild. The new chancellor spent over 30 years in the industrial distribution industry, and prior to his diaconate personnel director position, he served as the director of project development in the religious education office in his parish of St. Brigid’s in Alpharetta.

In December 2005, upon Deacon Dorner’s hiring as the director of deacon personnel, Archbishop Gregory spoke highly of Deacon Dorner.

“He is a wonderful man of faith with a tremendous enthusiasm for the mission of the Church,” Archbishop Gregory said. “He has a great heart for the Office of Deacon, and I am certain that he will serve his brothers in the diaconate and their families with true dedication.”