Diocesan Finance CouncilThe Diocesan Finance Council (DFC) of the Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle plays a pivotal advisory and canonical role in the stewardship of diocesan financial affairs.
About
The Diocesan Finance Council (DFC) of the Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle plays a pivotal advisory and canonical role in the stewardship of diocesan financial affairs. Operating within the Diocesan Governance Framework and guided by Canon Law (canons 492–494), the DFC supports the Bishop in ensuring financial integrity, transparency, and accountability across diocesan entities.
Comprising a minimum of four and a maximum of seven members, plus the Presider (typically the Bishop or delegate), the Council includes experts in finance and civil law, Vicars-General, and the Diocesan Finance Officer. Standing invitees such as the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Governance Officer contribute to its deliberations. The Council meets at least four times annually and operates under diocesan protocols.
The DFC’s core functions include preparing the annual diocesan budget, reviewing financial reports, assessing financial management across diocesan agencies, and identifying risks. It provides consent for acts of extraordinary administration, alienation of diocesan goods, and transactions affecting diocesan patrimony. It also offers counsel on appointments, taxation, major capital works, and investment decisions.
To support its mandate, the DFC oversees a number of standing committees: the Strategic Asset Management Committee, External Audit & Risk Committee and the Parish Annual Returns Committee. These bodies enhance strategic planning and audit oversight.
Ultimately, the DFC ensures that diocesan financial practices align with canonical requirements and ethical standards, fostering responsible governance and safeguarding the Church’s temporal goods.
Skills and experience
Each of us is gifted with varying talents, skills and experiences. In essence, we seek people who are passionate about supporting the future of our Church and building on our history to fulfill our mission – to serve all in the community so they may experience life to the full.
These differing perspectives and skills combine to complement others, challenge our thinking and build a truly synodal church.
The skills and backgrounds that might align with what we seek for this Council or Board are outlined below. Applicants do not have to fit any or all of those listed. We welcome expressions of interests from all those who feel called to contribute their insight, skills and experience.
The range of experience we need to support this Council may include people with backgrounds and experience in:
- Catholic mission and identity
- Finance
- Accounting
- Auditing
- Risk
- Property Development
- Legal skills are also valued in this Council
Meeting Dates
*dates subject to change
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Wednesday 29 April 2026
4:00pm to 6:00pm
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Tuesday 19 May 2026
4:00pm to 6:00pm
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Tuesday 20 October 2026
4:00pm to 6:00pm
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Thursday 12 November 2026
4:00pm to 6:00pm
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Thursday 29 January 2026
8:30am to 3:15pm *Optional Good Governance Day
Statutes and Protocols
Statutes and Protocols are ad experimentum during the first year, and may be updated from time to time during that year. The role of the relevant Council or Board will be to, at the end of the first year, consider the drafts and participate in updates to make the process fit for purpose.
