New Jersey Catholic Conference
Welcome to the New Jersey Catholic Conference web site.
Founded in 1949, the New Jersey Catholic Conference (NJCC) represents the Catholic Bishops of New Jersey on matters of public policy. NJCC serves as a liaison to governmental agencies and institutions and coordinates communications and activities between the Bishops and secular agencies. The Archbishop of Newark is the President of NJCC. There are more than 3.5 million Catholics registered in seven dioceses throughout New Jersey.
Dioceses
- Archdiocese of Newark
- Diocese of Trenton
- Diocese of Camden
- Diocese of Paterson
- Diocese of Metuchen
- Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Passaic
- Eparchy of Our Lady of Deliverance of Newark (Syrian)
News
A Statement on Protecting Children by
Patrick R. Brannigan
Executive Director of the New Jersey Catholic Conference
There are few things in life as important as protecting our children and young people.
Any abuse of a child is sinful and must not be tolerated in any way. Every step must be taken at all times to protect all children entrusted to our care.
Anyone who is aware of inappropriate conduct with a minor by a member of the clergy, a diocesan or parish employee, or anyone else should contact law enforcement immediately.
The names and addresses of the twenty-one County Prosecutors are listed below.
Atlantic
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Middlesex
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Bergen
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Monmouth
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Burlington
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Morris Fredric M. Knapp Morris County Prosecutor's Office P.O. Box 900 - Court Street Morristown, New Jersey 07963-0900 Tel: 973- 285-6200 Fax: 973- 285-6226 prosecutor@co.morris.nj.us |
Camden
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Ocean
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| Cape May Robert L. Taylor DN-110, 4 Moore Road 110 Justice Way Cape May Court House, New Jersey, 08210 Phone: 609-465-1135 prosecutor@cmcpros.net |
Passaic
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Cumberland
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Salem
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| Essex Carolyn Murray Essex County Prosecutor's Office Veterans Courthouse 50 West Market Street Newark, New Jersey 07102 Phone: 973-621-4700 |
Somerset
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Gloucester
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Sussex |
| Hudson Gaetano T. Gregory 595 Newark Avenue Jersey City, New Jersey 07306 Phone: (201) 795-6400 hcpo@hcpo.org |
Union
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Hunterdon
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Warren
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| Mercer Joseph L. Bocchini Jr Mercer County Courthouse 209 South Broad Street, 3rd Floor Trenton, New Jersey 08650 Phone: 609-989-6351 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 8068 Trenton, New Jersey 08650-0068 |
Reduce Gun Violence: Protect Life
Testimony Submitted for the Record on behalf of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops before the United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary - "Proposals to Reduce Gun Violence: Protecting Our Communities While Respecting the Second Amendment," February 12, 2013
To read full statement, Click here.
TAKE ACTION NOW - USCCB Action Alert to Stop Gun Violence
Patrick Brannigan's Statement in Opposition of Assisted Suicide
Thank you Doctor Conaway and members of the Committee for the opportunity to testify before you in opposition to Assembly Bill 3328 which we think has serious flaws. Let me focus on just two.
To read full statement, Click here.
CATHOLIC TEACHING ON MARRIAGE
The Catholic Bishops of New Jersey's 2009 statement on marriage offers response to renewed same sex marriage push.
Gay rights activists filed suit June 29, 2011 in State Superior Court to
overturn New Jersey's Civil Union law. New Jersey passed a domestic
partnership law in 2002 and legalized civil unions in 2006. Advocates
for same sex marriage in New Jersey contend that the provisions in the
civil union law do not ensure equal rights under the law and that only
marriage can provide equality. An attempt to pass same sex marriage in
New Jersey failed again in January, 2010.
The Catholic Bishops of New Jersey addressed this issue in their
statement promulgated Aug. 22, 2009, titled: "The Call to Marriage is
Woven Deeply into the Human Spirit." In it, they state: As Catholics, we
must not stand by in silence in the face of the many challenges that
threaten marriage and, in turn, children and the public good. We must
not shirk our responsibility. We must protect and promote marriage. We
must not abandon the teaching of the Catholic Church on marriage and the
complementarity of the sexes - a truth that is evident to right reason
and recognized as such by the major cultures of the world.
In the 2,200-word statement, the bishops provide background on the
Catholic Church's teaching on marriage and the importance of preserving
the definition of the institution as a relationship between one man and
one woman. It renews the Church's commitment to nurture married couples
and all members of families, and to bring Christ's compassion to those
who are experiencing difficulties, illness and anxiety..
To read the full statement, Click here.
TESTIMONY BY PATRICK R. BRANNIGAN IN OPPOSITION OF S-1/A-1
The New Jersey Catholic Conference urges the New Jersey Legislature to continue to recognize marriage as a union between one man and one woman. This is critical as marriage is the foundation of the family. The family, in turn, is the basic unit of society.
To read the full statement, Click here.
NJ BISHOPS' STATEMENT ON POVERTY IN NEW JERSEY
The U.S Census Bureau recently confirmed that over 49 million Americans, or 16% of the population, live in poverty. Similarly, the Legal Services of New Jersey Poverty Research Institute has documented the alarming depth and breadth of poverty in New Jersey – a state that is frequently ranked as the second or third richest state in the country. In 2009, over 799,000 New Jersey residents had incomes lower than the official poverty rate - incomes so low that they were unable to make ends meet and required food stamps to survive.
To read the full statement CLICK HERE.
Statement by Bishop Serratelli: A Time for Truth: The Bold Voice of Religion in Public
This past November, the American Atheists organization provoked a debate. But not without merit. As soon as the Christians began their Advent services in church and their Christmas shopping in the malls, some atheists attacked the very fact that Jesus was born. They put up a billboard on the New Jersey side of the Lincoln Tunnel that boldly declared - You know it's a myth. This season, celebrate reason.
