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Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, On this past Tuesday, once again, we were made painfully aware of another horrific act of violence and the tragic loss of innocent human life that followed. The school shooting in Uvalde, Texas repeated an all too familiar scene that pours salt in a wound that never seems to heal. As we pray for all the victims, especially the 19 children and 2 teachers who were killed, we must constantly pray for their families that will never be the same and for healing in our country that desperately needs the peace that comes from God.

Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., has issued the following statement in response to the recent mass shootings: The disciples of Jesus that form the Archdiocese of Newark join our hearts and prayers for the anguished families of Uvalde, Buffalo and many other communities across this country, including Newark, the city in which I live and love. The slaughter of children and teachers yesterday in Texas, and the surge of violence in communities nationwide, cannot be easily explained but must not be dismissed as a perverse “new normal.”

Lifting up in prayer the souls of the children and teachers killed Tuesday at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, and united in grief with their parents and families, the words of St. Matthew’s Gospel account of the massacre of the holy innocents in Bethlehem come to my mind:

WASHINGTON - In response to the news of the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas reported this afternoon, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) offered the following statement from its spokesperson, Chieko Noguchi, director of public affairs.

To parents, caregivers, and families, The Murphy Administration is currently assessing steps to address the nationwide shortage of infant formula and remains committed to ensuring that New Jersey’s families can access the nutritional support and resources needed to care for their infants.

The Catholic Bishops of New Jersey join to express our disappointment and outrage over Governor Murphy’s announcement regarding proposed legislation to expand access to abortion in New Jersey, an act that by its very nature terminates human life. If enacted, this legislation would mandate health insurance coverage for abortions, codify regulations that permit non-physicians to perform abortions; and create a public fund that dedicates taxpayer money to pay for abortions.

The United States Catholic Conference of Bishops (USCCB) alerted the New Jersey Catholic Conference today that for the second time this year, the United States Senate is attempting to pass a bill that would enshrine abortion on demand in federal law through the “Women’s Health Protection Act,” S. 4132. Tentatively, the vote will be held next Wednesday (May 11).

WASHINGTON—In response to the leak of a draft opinion in the Supreme Court case of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Pro-Life Activities issued the following call to prayer:

In solidarity, we express our prayers and support to the victims of the odium and hostility that have fallen on Ukraine, including the families that have been separated, those fleeing for safer ground, especially children and the elderly. In a special way, we extend our prayerful support to the Ukrainian Catholic community in the United States, who ache with helplessness for their brothers and sisters in peril.

Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., has issued the following statement in response to the situation in Ukraine: I would like to make my own the following words of Pope Francis offered during his General Audience on Wednesday, February 23:

On Monday, February 28, the United States Senate will vote on the Women’s Health Protection Act, H.R. 3755. This deceptively-named, extreme bill would impose abortion on demand nationwide at any stage of pregnancy through federal statute.

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.