TRENTON, NJ — The New Jersey Catholic Conference (NJCC) has named veteran communications leader, John W. Hardiman, as Director of Public Relations. Hardiman joins NJCC with nearly 27 years of increasing public relations experience and more than 15 years of leadership experience. In this role, Mr. Hardiman will work with Conference staff in planning and implementing strategic communications, outreach, and public relations efforts that effectively promote the legislative and public policy interests of the Catholic Church in New Jersey.

The New Jersey Catholic Conference is disheartened by the New Jersey Board of Medical Examiners announcement that they have approved rule changes that will allow non-physicians to perform abortions after 14 weeks of gestation, permit these abortions in office-based settings, and eliminate the requirement of hospital admitting privileges to medical professionals performing these procedures.

WASHINGTON - Today, the House of Representatives voted to pass the Women’s Health Protection Act, H.R. 3755. This bill would impose abortion on demand nationwide at any stage of pregnancy through federal statute and would eliminate pro-life laws at every level of government -- including parental notification for minor girls, informed consent, and health or safety protections specific to abortion facilities. H.R. 3755 also would compel all Americans to support abortions here and abroad with their tax dollars and would also likely force health care providers and professionals to perform, assist in, and/or refer for abortion against their deeply-held beliefs, as well as force employers and insurers to cover or pay for abortion.

The New Jersey Catholic Bishops issued a provincial statement today recognizing September as “National Recovery Month.” In the statement, the bishops celebrate those who have achieved recovery and announce the release of new resources to help parishes and other Catholic organizations that seek to serve those who continue to suffer from various forms of addiction. Click on the title to read the full document.

Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R. issued a statement that expressed concern that the proposed federal budget would eliminate the Hyde Amendment, which, for 45 years, has prohibited the use of federal funds for abortion. The Hyde Amendment is credited with saving the lives of millions of children. In the statement, he states that it is crucially important that we send a strong, clear message that the Hyde Amendment has far-reaching public support and should not be repealed. Click on the title to read the full statement.

Last week the U.S. Bishops voted to move forward with the drafting of a teaching document on the Eucharist. In effort to help clarify and answer any questions people may have on the purpose of the vote and what comes next, the USCCB has developed a printable Questions and Answers document. Click on the title to download the full document.

Since the conclusion of the Spring Plenary Assembly of the U.S. bishops last week, there has been much attention on the vote taken to draft a document on the Eucharist. The question of whether or not to deny any individual or groups Holy Communion was not on the ballot. The vote by the bishops last week tasked the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Doctrine to begin the drafting of a teaching document on the Eucharist. Click on the title to read more about the bishops' vote and what comes next.

The Catholic Bishops of New Jersey are lifting the dispensation for Sunday and Holy Days mass obligation beginning on Saturday, June 5, 2021, and Sunday, June 6, 2021, Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ.

WASHINGTON — In the midst of recent heightened violence in Jerusalem and Gaza, Bishop David J. Malloy of Rockford, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on International Justice and Peace expressed renewed commitment to the people of the Holy Land and called for prayer.

Click on the the Title to visit NJ.com to read Cardinal Tobin's Op-Ed column "Why the Catholic Church Opposes the Reproductive Freedom Act."

Today, the New Jersey Catholic Conference (NJCC), which represents the Catholic bishops and dioceses of New Jersey, submitted comments to the New Jersey Board of Medical Examiners strongly opposing proposed amendments to regulations regarding Surgery, Special Procedures, and Anesthesia Services Performed in an Office Setting.

WASHINGTON– On March 2, Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades of Fort Wayne-South Bend, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Doctrine, and Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann of Kansas City in Kansas, chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Pro-Life Activities, issued a statement on the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine recently approved for use in the United States.

On Sunday, February 21, the New Jersey Star Ledger published the following OpEd by Bishop James Checchio , Diocese of Metuchen, concerning the recent abuse of inmates at the Edna Mahan Correctional Facility.

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops announced the United States House of Representatives will most likely vote on H.R. 5 “ The Equality Act" this week. If signed into law H.R. 5 Act would discriminate against people of faith by forcing churches, faith based charitable organizations, and schools to violate religious beliefs. Click on the title for more information on how you can contact your representative.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Every New Year brings us an opportunity to focus anew on our priorities and try to make things better for all of us! As we begin 2021, we cannot help but reflect on how difficult 2020 was for so many in our world, nation and our Church. The pandemic has greatly impacted everyone and has resulted in people losing their jobs, losing loved ones and some losing their way....

Statement of Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., on the Inauguration of President Joe Biden: On the day of his inauguration, I congratulate President Joseph R. Biden and draw inspiration from his words, “With purpose and resolve, we turn to those tasks of our time, sustained by faith, driven by conviction, and devoted to one another and the country we love with all hearts.” The people of the Archdiocese of Newark join all Americans in working together for the good of our country and world.

The expression “culture warrior” is used in contemporary conversation, even in some Catholic circles, to describe people who fight for those causes that run counter to prevailing cultural values and preferences, chief among those causes, the protection of human life in all its stages, from conception to natural death.

Two days after the 9/11 New York City attack on our country I accompanied the pastor of the Parish of Saint Peter and his associate to the Church located a half block from the World Trade Center.... Read Bishop Sullivan's full statement on the violence that occurred in Washington DC on Wednesday January 6, 2021.