In anglicanism, a Rural Dean has a leadership role in a specific area and will be known as, for example, the Rural Dean of Romney. Normally the Rural Dean will also be a parish priest and will serve in the role for a fixed period of appointment by the bishop exercising a limited episcope by delegation from him. The Rural Dean is responsible with the Wardens for the maintenance of public worship in a vacant parish.
Ex Officio chair of the Deanery Synod.