HoeflingCHARLOTTE — The Diocese of Charlotte’s Finance Council will expand under new bylaws approved by Bishop Michael T. Martin, OFM Conv., who also appointed Patrick Hoefling as the council’s new chair.
The changes were formally adopted at the finance council’s April 22 meeting.
The updated bylaws establish a more layered governance approach that includes eight standing subcommittees to support the Finance Council – aligning the diocese with governance models already in use at many of the nation’s large dioceses, notes Matthew Ferrante, the diocese’s chief financial officer.
Among the changes, eight standing subcommittees were created: Audit; Financial Planning and Analysis/Benefits and Insurance; IT Systems and Data Management; Real Estate and Facilities; Membership and Governance; Development; Legal; and Investment.
Under Church law, every diocese must have a finance council made up of members of the Christian faithful who are experienced in financial matters. The finance council’s significant expansion builds on its strong foundation by bringing in additional expertise, Ferrante said.
“This new structure allows for much greater engagement in our processes with industry leaders who are among the lay faithful and who serve on our committees,” he said.
Ferrante“By creating these specialized subcommittees, we are able to bring in professionals with deep expertise in areas like real estate, investments, legal affairs and technology – people who are committed to the mission of the Church and who want to contribute their talents to its stewardship,” Ferrante said.
Each committee will be led by a finance council member and may include additional clergy and lay experts. The committees will be introduced in phases over the next year, with all expected to be in place by the end of 2027.
Hoefling is chief financial officer of Charlotte-based global investment firm Barings. He has more than 20 years of experience in the financial sector and holds a B.S. in Accountancy from Villanova University and a Master of Accountancy from North Carolina State University. He is a member of St. Gabriel Parish in Charlotte.
— Catholic News Herald