History

In 1949, the Catholic Bishops of New Jersey established the New Jersey Catholic Conference (NJCC) to help facilitate improved communication and coordination among Catholic dioceses in the area of public policy. 

In 1969, the bishops reorganized NJCC and appointed Monsignor Aloysius Welsh of the Archdiocese of Newark as the first full-time executive coordinator, a position that has since been restructured to executive director.

Over the last six decades, NJCC has helped to coordinate public policy communications and activities among the dioceses and between the bishops and governmental and non-profit agencies.  

In addition to monitoring legislation and administrative regulations at the state and federal levels, NJCC works with the diocesan offices for respect life, family life, social concerns, Catholic schools, Catholic Charities, and Catholic hospitals.  In accordance with Section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, NJCC never endorses or provides any support to political candidates or political organizations.  

More than 3.5 million Catholics are registered in over 600 parishes in the six Catholic dioceses served by NJCC. Joseph W. Cardinal Tobin, Archbishop of Newark, is president of NJCC and James J. King is executive director. Current Conference staff includes Dr. George V. Corwell, Director of the Office for Education;  John W. Hardiman, Director of Communications and Public Relations; Deshawn Burnett, Budget and Technology Manager; and Anne Conte, Executive Assistant.

Past Executive Directors:

• Monsignor Aloysius Welsh 1969 - 1972
• Edward J. Leadem, Esq. 1972 -1984
• William F. Bolan, Jr., Esq. 1984 - 2006
• Patrick R. Brannigan 2006 - 2019