(Catholic Herald photo/Kevin Wondrash)
MADISON — Bishop Donald J. Hying of Madison has named Paul Merline as the chief development officer for the Diocese of Madison.
Reporting to the bishop, Merline fills the role formerly held by Dr. Chris McAtee, now serving as the director of the Office of Human Life and Dignity.
Merline will help guide the overall development strategies of the diocesan Church; coordinating chancery efforts with those of other Catholic entities, including the Catholic Diocese of Madison Foundation (CDMF) and Catholic Charities; and work to enhance Bishop Hying’s vision for collaboration, cooperation, and integration of development initiatives across the diocese.
Merline will also continue the work McAtee began cultivating major gifts and planned giving within the Diocese of Madison over the past months.
Merline brings nearly 30 years of experience in establishing and building long-term partnerships and alliances, fundraising, development, and issue advocacy, as well as major capital campaigns. Most recently and immediately prior to joining the diocese, Merline served as director of advancement at Valley of Our Lady Monastery, assisting the Cistercian Nuns in their successful efforts to raise funds to build a new monastery.
He and his wife Karen are long-time members of St. Norbert Parish in Roxbury where he serves on the finance council and the cemetery committee. Merline began his new role on April 4.