Michael Brooks
Catholicism is the most commonly practised religion in New Jersey, with a 2023-24 study by the Pew Research Center finding that 33% of adults in the state identify as Catholic. However, in recent years, the number of people affiliated with a religious denomination has been declining. This is reflected in the Catholic Church in New Jersey, where surveys have found that many Catholics feel discriminated against by the Church. In particular, parishioners have expressed a desire for more inclusivity regarding women, LGBTQ individuals, immigrants, and other marginalized groups. These sentiments were echoed in the Newark Archdiocese survey, which revealed that many Catholics in the state want the Church to become more welcoming to those who feel marginalized.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of adults in New Jersey who identify as Catholic | 33% |
| Number of Catholics in New Jersey | 2.5 million |
| Catholic population in Diocese of Paterson | 577,000 |
| Catholic population in Diocese of Trenton | 774,000 |
| Catholic population in Metuchen Diocese | 650,000 |
| Number of participants in Diocese of Paterson's synod sessions | 5,000 |
| Number of participants in Diocese of Trenton's synod sessions | 4,500 |
| Number of participants in Metuchen Diocese's synod sessions | 1,800 |
| Number of participants in Newark Archdiocese's listening sessions | 15,000 |
| Number of small-group discussions held in Newark Archdiocese | 700 |
| Percentage of religious adherents in New Jersey who are Catholic | 60% |
| Percentage of adults in New Jersey who practice a Christian denomination | 59% |
| Percentage of adults in the United States who identify as Catholic | 19% |
| Region of the United States that includes New Jersey and has 26% of the country's Catholic population | Northeast |
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What You'll Learn
Catholics in New Jersey want more inclusivity
Catholicism is the most commonly practised religion in New Jersey, with a 2023-24 study by the Pew Research Center finding that 33% of adults in the state identify as Catholic. However, a significant number of Catholics in the state feel discriminated against by their church.
A survey conducted by the Diocese of Paterson, with 577,000 members in Passaic, Morris, and Sussex counties, found that many of the 5,000 participants expressed a sense that the church is not loving. The survey also revealed that people felt excluded and marginalised due to their gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or other factors that made them feel like they did not conform to the church's social or moral norms.
The Metuchen diocese, with a Catholic population of about 650,000, had similar findings. Many of the 1,800 participants in its sessions said that the church was moving "too slowly" and was "too harsh". They also echoed concerns about marginalized groups feeling "excluded" and wanted the church to become more hospitable.
The Diocese of Trenton, encompassing Burlington, Mercer, Monmouth, and Ocean counties, has a Catholic population of 774,000. Among the 4,500 participants in its survey, a prominent concern was that their children and grandchildren do not practice the Catholic faith. They attributed this to the church's inability to attract and retain young people.
In the Newark Archdiocese, hundreds of in-person and online listening sessions were held, with more than 15,000 local Catholics participating. The sessions revealed that the church needs to make fundamental reforms to become more welcoming to women, LGBTQ parishioners, immigrants, and young people who have increasingly strayed from religious life. Many participants felt that some aspects of church doctrine were out of sync with modern times, particularly concerning divorce, birth control, and the LGBTQ community.
Overall, Catholics in New Jersey want their church to be more inclusive and welcoming to marginalized groups, such as women, LGBTQ individuals, immigrants, and young people. They also want the church to address outdated language and doctrines that no longer apply in today's world.
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Catholics in NJ feel the church is not loving
A survey conducted by the Trenton, Camden, Paterson, and Metuchen dioceses, representing almost 2.5 million Catholics, revealed that many Catholics in New Jersey feel that the church is not loving and inclusive enough. The Diocese of Paterson, with 577,000 members, reported that many of the 5,000 participants in its synod sessions expressed a sense of exclusion and a lack of sensitivity from the church.
Participants cited concerns about the church's stance towards women, the Hispanic/Latino community, LGBTQ individuals, families with young children, people with special needs, the elderly, and those who feel they do not conform to social or moral norms. Many Catholics feel that the church needs to become more hospitable and welcoming to marginalized groups, including undocumented immigrants, people with disabilities, and those struggling with addiction or incarceration.
The survey also highlighted the dismay of parents and relatives whose LGBTQ children do not feel included by the church. While opinions vary on the morality of the issue, there is a consensus that the ministry to and inclusion of the LGBTQ community is lacking. Furthermore, the church's handling of the clergy abuse scandal has caused distress among parishioners, leading to a loss of confidence in church leadership.
The desire for reform and inclusivity is evident, with suggestions to invite newcomers into local parishes, reach out to marginalized individuals, and create an environment where laypeople feel empowered to speak boldly. Catholics in New Jersey yearn for a church that embodies a message of love and openness, embracing social justice and inclusivity. This sentiment has given rise to breakaway Catholic movements in the state, such as the American National Catholic Church (ANCC), which welcomes those feeling marginalized by the Roman Catholic Church, including LGBTQ individuals.
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Catholics in NJ feel the church is out of touch
In New Jersey, many Catholics feel that the Catholic Church is out of touch and that it needs to be more inclusive. This sentiment was expressed by over 15,000 parishioners in four of New Jersey's Catholic dioceses, including Trenton, Camden, Paterson, and Metuchen, which together represent almost 2.5 million Catholics.
Participants in the synod sessions, including parents and relatives of LGBTQ individuals, expressed that the church needs to become more welcoming and inclusive of marginalized groups, such as women, immigrants, LGBTQ individuals, and those with disabilities. They also cited concerns about the church's handling of the clergy abuse scandal and its outdated language and doctrines, particularly regarding divorce, annulment of marriages, and birth control, and LGBTQ rights.
The Diocese of Paterson, with 577,000 members, reported that many of the 5,000 participants in its synod sessions felt that the church is not loving and inclusive enough. Similarly, the Metuchen diocese, with a Catholic population of roughly 650,000, found that many of the 1,800 participants in its sessions believed the church is moving "too slowly" and is "too harsh."
The desire for more inclusivity and a change in approach and attitude was a recurring theme across the dioceses. Many Catholics expressed that the church needs to do a better job of welcoming those who feel ignored, including those on the margins of parish life, such as young people who do not practice the Catholic faith, those with addictions, prisoners, and non-practicing Catholics. There is also a call for greater diversity in the church's leadership to include women, people of color, and Hispanics.
The breakaway Catholic movement in New Jersey, known as the American National Catholic Church (ANCC), has attracted those who feel marginalized by the Roman Catholic Church, including LGBTQ individuals and those seeking a more inclusive and socially-just community.
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Catholics in NJ want the church to welcome LGBTQ people
A recent survey of New Jersey Catholics has revealed a desire for the church to become more inclusive and welcoming to LGBTQ+ people, immigrants, women, and other marginalized groups. The survey, conducted by the Trenton, Camden, Paterson, and Metuchen dioceses, gathered responses from almost 2.5 million Catholics.
Many participants expressed that the church needs to do better in welcoming those who feel marginalized, including LGBTQ+ individuals and their families. Parents and relatives shared that their LGBTQ+ children did not feel welcome and included by the church. The church's outdated language, such as referring to LGBTQ+ people as "disordered," was described as hurtful and out of step with the modern world.
The Diocese of Paterson, with 577,000 members, noted that many of the 5,000 participants in its synod sessions felt that the church lacked love and inclusion. Similarly, the Metuchen diocese, with a Catholic population of roughly 650,000, found that participants wanted the church to become more hospitable and inclusive, moving away from harsh and exclusionary practices.
The Newark Archdiocese survey echoed similar sentiments, with more than 15,000 local Catholics calling for fundamental reforms to make the church welcoming to LGBTQ+ parishioners. They suggested finding ways to invite newcomers, reaching out to marginalized groups, and creating an environment where people feel comfortable sharing their concerns.
While there are varying opinions on the morality of the issue, there is a consensus among New Jersey Catholics that the church needs to become more inclusive and welcoming to LGBTQ+ individuals and their families. This desire for increased inclusivity and a more complete welcome is a major theme that the church is addressing to meet the needs of its parishioners.
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Catholics in NJ want the church to welcome immigrants
In recent years, the Catholic Church has faced criticism for its handling of various issues, including the clergy abuse scandal and its stance on marginalized groups. In an effort to address these concerns, Pope Francis initiated a synod, or assembly, in 2021 to understand the pulse of Catholics worldwide. This included surveys conducted by the Trenton, Camden, Paterson, and Metuchen dioceses in New Jersey, representing almost 2.5 million Catholics.
The consensus from these surveys was clear: Catholics in New Jersey want their church to become more inclusive and welcoming, especially towards immigrants, women, the LGBTQ+ community, and other marginalized individuals. Many participants expressed that the church needed to do more to attract and retain young people, who are increasingly straying from religious life. They also called for greater involvement in decision-making and a more diverse leadership that includes women and people of color.
The Diocese of Paterson, with 577,000 members, highlighted that many of the 5,000 participants in its synod sessions felt the church lacked love and inclusion. Similarly, the Metuchen diocese, with a Catholic population of roughly 650,000, found that its participants wanted the church to become more hospitable towards marginalized groups and move away from outdated language that hurts LGBTQ+ individuals.
The Newark Archdiocese, with nearly 1.5 million worshippers, also joined the call for a more welcoming church. In their sessions, participants emphasized the need to invite newcomers into local parishes and reach out to those who feel marginalized, including undocumented immigrants, LGBTQ+ Catholics, and those with disabilities. They also suggested that the catechism, the fundamental rules of the Catholic faith, should be updated to reflect modern times, particularly regarding divorce, birth control, and the LGBTQ+ community.
While there is a strong desire for reform among Catholics in New Jersey, it is unclear how these changes will be implemented, as major doctrinal shifts are unlikely. However, Pope Francis's synod has created a space for open dialogue and transformational processes that may lead to a more welcoming and inclusive Catholic Church.
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Frequently asked questions
A 2023-24 study by the Pew Research Center found that 33% of adults in New Jersey identify as Catholic. This equates to around 26% of the country's Catholic population.
Many Catholics in New Jersey feel that their church needs to be more inclusive, particularly towards women, LGBTQ+ people, immigrants, and other marginalized groups. Some also feel that the church is “out of touch” and "too harsh".
While there is no explicit mention of Catholics in New Jersey feeling discriminated against, the desire for more inclusivity and a change in the church's attitude towards certain groups suggests that some may feel discriminated against based on their identity or beliefs.
Catholics in New Jersey have expressed concerns about the church's language and doctrines regarding gender, LGBTQ+ issues, divorce, birth control, and the ordination of female priests. They also want the church to be more welcoming to newcomers, immigrants, and those with disabilities.
Suggestions include finding ways to invite newcomers into local parishes, reaching out to marginalized groups, and creating an environment where people feel comfortable sharing their concerns. Some Catholics also suggest updating the catechism, or fundamental rules of the Catholic faith, to reflect modern times.
