NJCC provided written testimony to the Assembly Agriculture and Food Security Committee at its meeting on February 14, 2022. To read the full testimony, click HERE.

The week of January 30, 2022 has been designated as Catholic Schools' Week in New Jersey to acknowledge the contributions of Catholic schools to the public welfare of all New Jerseyans. The theme for this year’s Catholic Schools’ Week is “Catholic Schools: Faith. Excellence. Service.”

The Catholic Bishops of New Jersey join to express our profound disappointment and deep concern about the passage of S49/A6260 - - the Freedom of Reproductive Choice Act, which codifies into state law an individual’s right to an abortion, including late-term abortions. This law departs from the fundamental Catholic teaching that all life is sacred from conception to natural death.

Los obispos católicos de Nueva Jersey nos unimos para expresar nuestra más profunda decepción y enorme preocupación sobre la aprobación del proyecto de ley S49/A6260, la Ley a la libertad a la elección reproductiva, que codifica en norma del estado, el derecho de un individuo a un aborto, incluso a los abortos tardíos. Esta ley se aparta de la enseñanza católica fundamental de que toda vida es sagrada desde el momento de la concepción hasta la muerte natural.

The Catholic Bishops of New Jersey join to express our strongest opposition to S49/A6260. This harmful legislation would: codify into state law an individual’s right to an abortion, including late-term abortions; potentially violate the religious freedom of healthcare workers and hospitals; and require private businesses to expand group health coverage to include abortion services. We hold all human life sacred, including the unborn, and we strenuously oppose any effort that seeks to make abortion services more accessible - - expressly this effort that is being rushed through the legislative process at the conclusion of this session. We realize the financial, emotional, and physical toll an unexpected pregnancy can have on a mother.

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.