What is the New Jersey Catholic Conference?
The New Jersey Catholic Conference (NJCC) was founded in 1949 as the nonpartisan public policy voice for the Catholic Church in New Jersey. NJCC represents the Catholic bishops of New Jersey on public policy matters, serves as a liaison to governmental agencies, and coordinates communications and activities between the bishops and secular agencies, private sector, civic, nonprofit, and other religious entities on matters of concern to the general welfare of the state’s citizens.
What is the mission of the New Jersey Catholic Conference?
The mission of the NJCC is to advocate and interact with the Legislature and other government agencies at the state and federal levels for the Catholic Church's public policy agenda.
Who is the Catholic community in New Jersey? *
There are 3.5 million Catholics in New Jersey representing 39 percent of the state’s population. They belong to 665 parishes located in five Latin Rite (arch) dioceses and two eparchies (a diocese of the Eastern Church) and are served by 1,885 priests, six bishops, four auxiliary bishops, and one archbishop. New Jersey’s Catholic community also includes several Catholic hospitals and healthcare centers, which annually care for nearly two million men, women, and children; seven colleges and universities, which educate 22,000 students; and 199 Catholic high schools and elementary schools, which serve 64,000 students. An additional 162,000 children and teens are enrolled in religious education programs throughout New Jersey.
* Source: The Official Catholic Directory, P.J. Kennedy and Sons 2021
What are the Catholic dioceses in New Jersey?
The seven Catholic dioceses in New Jersey include the Archdiocese of Newark, the Diocese of Trenton, the Diocese of Camden, the Diocese of Metuchen, the Diocese of Paterson, the Eparchy of Passaic, and the Eparchy of Our Lady of Deliverance of Newark.
What principles guide the Catholic Church’s public policy work?
The principles of Catholic social teaching embody traditional Church wisdom as well as particular teachings such as Pope Leo XIII's 1891 encyclical, Rerum Novarum.
How does the New Jersey Catholic Conference view other religious denominations?
We respect and embrace all people of good will and enable ecumenical and interfaith dialogue and action.
Are there Catholic Conferences in other states?
Yes. To learn about Catholic Conferences in other states, visit the National Association of State Catholic Conference Directors.
How can I get involved?
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