CHARLOTTE — Bishop Peter Jugis has made new appointments in the Diocese of Charlotte’s permanent diaconate program, a leadership change that occurs regularly every few years. He also established an advisory board to ensure continuity in the permanent diaconate program.
As of Oct. 4, Deacon John Kopfle takes over as director of the program, succeeding Deacon John Martino.
During Deacon Martino’s five-year tenure, 27 permanent deacons were ordained for the diocese.
“I am humbled and blessed to be a part of the deacon community and to have played a small role with others in the formation, ministry and life of the diaconate for the Diocese of Charlotte,” Deacon Martino said.
Deacon Kopfle, who with his wife Nancy has served at St. Vincent de Paul Church in Charlotte for the past 33 years, brings to the directorship 15 years of diaconal ministry and nine years of leadership as its Charlotte regional coordinator.
He points out that the documents of the Second Vatican Council and the U.S. Bishops’ National Directory describe beautifully the mission of deacons: Deacons are to be “a driving force for the Church’s service toward the Christian communities … and as a sign of Christ Himself.” And also, “The deacon’s ministry of service is linked with the missionary dimension of the Church … ministry of word, ministry of liturgy and works of charity, which are carried into daily life.”
“The permanent diaconate in the Diocese of Charlotte is growing to fulfill this role,” Deacon Kopfle said. “With the ordination of 12 men on Sept. 25, we are blessed to now have 146 deacons, the largest number ever. Our community of deacon wives continues to grow as well, and we thank them for the very important role they play in our ministry.”
“In carrying out our diaconal calling, we are tasked to respond to the needs of this place and time,” he said. “The Diocese of Charlotte continues to grow, comprising over 500,000 Catholics and nearly 100 parishes and missions throughout western North Carolina. This growth provides great opportunities as well as challenges, such as how to minister to those affected by economic, social and health issues, and to our expanding ethnic and cultural communities.”
Deacon Bill Schreiber will assume the role of formation director for the permanent diaconate, succeeding Deacon Ed Konarski.
“I am humbled and blessed to be chosen to follow in the footsteps of my deacon predecessors who have established an exceptional formation program in our diocese,” Deacon Schreiber said. “Our program has successfully guided the formation of deacons in the diocese for decades. We have accomplished this by inspiring holy men to be humble servants in our churches throughout the diocese with a focus on the development of the human, pastoral, spiritual and intellectual dimensions essential to the life of a deacon.
He recalled that St. John Paul II stated at a general audience in 1993 that “In the diaconate an effort is made to carry out what Jesus stated about His mission: ‘The Son of Man has not come to be served but to serve – to give His life in ransom for many’” (Mk 10:45; Mt 20:28).
“Today in our diocese and throughout the world, deacons are actively supporting Our Lord’s mission as St. John Paul II said. These words are ingrained in my mind, and they will guide my efforts serving as the director of deacon formation. With the help of the Holy Spirit and our formation team, I look forward to the opportunity to serve in this capacity and guide the future growth and development of our program within the Diocese of Charlotte.”
Deacon David Faunce has been appointed assistant director of deacons. He served as program’s Hickory regional coordinator for the past two years. Deacon
James Trombley is stepping into the role of Hickory regional coordinator.
“My assignment as the new assistant director of formation is certainly a testament to the fact that Our Lord calls us at times and to places that we may not always anticipate or envision ourselves,” Deacon Faunce said. “I continue to ask for the prayers of all of our brothers and sisters as Deacons Schreiber, Kopfle and I work to fulfill our roles in the diaconal formation ministry. I’m comforted and honored that I’ll be serving alongside a cohort of experienced, dedicated deacons from whom
I’m certain to glean important direction and insight, knowing that God’s grace will always guide us in our work within His vineyard.”
As of Oct. 4, the deacon advisory board will consist of Deacons Scott Gilfillan, Ed Konarski and John Martino.
“The greater days of service are ahead of all of us,” Deacon Martino noted. “I am grateful for those who will lead the diaconate in the years to come and for the deacons, wives, widows and families within our deacon community who put others before themselves. May God bless our bishop, the faithful of our diocese and the Church we all love.”
— SueAnn Howell, Senior reporter
Interested in the permanent diaconate?
Catholic men who are active in their parish, who bring a certain experience of the spiritual life including apostolic zeal and a desire to increase their faith through obedience and fraternal communion, and who are at least 32 years old, married or unmarried, can inquire into becoming a permanent deacon in the diocese.
Preparation for the permanent diaconate takes several years to complete.
Only those men who appear to have a genuine call to formation as a deacon will be invited by the Formation Team to complete application for admission to the next formation class.
The norms required for application to the formation program can be found on the Diocese of Charlotte’s website at www.charlottediocese.org/permanent-diaconate/permanent-diaconate (click on “Application Norms”).
If you are interested in serving as a permanent deacon in the Diocese of Charlotte, contact Deacon John Kopfle, director of the permanent diaconate, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 704-370-3344.
Your DSA contributions at work
Your DSA contributions at workThe diocese’s Permanent Diaconate Ministry is funded in part by the annual Diocesan Support Appeal. Learn more about the DSA and how to donate online at www.charlottediocese.org/dsa.
CHARLOTTE — The Diocese of Charlotte has passed an independent review of its compliance to nationally prescribed child protection procedures for the 19th straight year.
The yearly assessment by Stonebridge Business Partners of Rochester, N.Y., monitors U.S. dioceses’ compliance with the U.S. bishops’ “Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People,” which addresses the Church’s commitment to respond effectively, appropriately and compassionately to cases of abuse of minors by clergy or other Church personnel.
The audit for the period of July 2020 through June 2021 was conducted in August. The diocese has been found to be compliant with the provisions of the charter each year since the audits began in 2003.
The external review checks compliance with reporting requirements of the charter, including the diocese’s efforts to ensure the protection of children through criminal background checks and educational awareness programs on recognizing and preventing abuse.
In the fiscal year that ran from July 1, 2020, to June 30, 2021, the diocese conducted 3,786 background checks, which are required on an ongoing basis for all diocesan clergy, employees and volunteers. Since 2002, more than 75,400 background checks have been conducted. That includes rechecking active volunteers and employees every five years.
The COVID-19 pandemic slowed the need for volunteer assistance in parishes and schools over this past fiscal year, so fewer in-person training classes of “Protecting God’s Children” were held. A total of 2,190 adults in the diocese received training, down from the usual number of 4,000 participants.
More than 59,000 adults in the diocese have received training in this abuse prevention awareness program since it began in 2002.
“Protecting God’s Children” helps adults learn to recognize the warning signs of abuse and the many ways that sexual abuse harms victims, families, parishes and communities. It teaches them appropriate ways to respond to suspicious behaviors and how they can help prevent abuse.
The training program was recently updated with revamped videos and discussion points.
— Catholic News Herald