Sarah Mitchell
New Jersey has a significant Catholic population, with the state having the second-highest concentration of Catholics in the United States. As of 2020, data shows that there were nearly 3 million Catholics in New Jersey, constituting about 32% of the state's population. The history of Catholicism in New Jersey dates back to the 18th century, and the state is home to the Archdiocese of Newark, a Latin Church ecclesiastical jurisdiction of the Catholic Church in northeastern New Jersey.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Catholics in New Jersey | 2,971,461 |
| Percentage of New Jersey Population that is Catholic | 32% |
| Year Data was Collected | 2020 |
| Religious Group with the Second-Highest Number of Adherents | Muslims |
| Number of Muslims in New Jersey | 321,652 |
| Percentage of New Jersey Population that is Muslim | 3.46% |
| Religious Group with the Third-Highest Number of Adherents | Non-denominational Christians |
| Number of Non-denominational Christians in New Jersey | 282,370 |
| Percentage of New Jersey Population that is Non-denominational Christian | 3.04% |
| New Jersey Ranking Among US States in Terms of Catholic Population | Second-highest |
| Estimated Number of Catholics in New York and New Jersey in 1785 | 1700 |
| Number of Priests in the Diocese of Newark in 1881 | 121 |
| Number of Churches in the Diocese of Newark in 1881 | 83 |
| Number of Students Enrolled in Diocesan Schools in Newark in 1881 | 18,396 |
| Catholic Population of the Diocese of Newark in 1881 | 145,000 |
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What You'll Learn
New Jersey has the second-highest concentration of Catholics in the US
New Jersey has a long history of Catholicism, dating back to the late 18th century. In 1785, the French envoy François Barbé-Marbois estimated that there were approximately 1700 Catholics in the new states of New York and New Jersey, with over half residing in New Jersey. This presence grew over time, with the arrival of French refugees from the Haitian Revolution and the attraction of Catholic immigrants to the region's burgeoning industries.
Today, New Jersey has the second-highest concentration of Catholics in the United States. According to a Gallup poll from 2018, about 40% of the state's population identifies as Catholic, surpassed only by Rhode Island. This percentage translates to approximately 2,971,461 adherents, making Catholics the largest religious group in the state.
The Archdiocese of Newark, a Latin Church ecclesiastical jurisdiction, serves as the metropolitan see for northeastern New Jersey. As of 2023, Cardinal Tobin is the archbishop of Newark, overseeing the archdiocese and its four suffragan dioceses. The Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark serves as the mother church of the archdiocese.
The presence of Catholicism in New Jersey is also evident through the establishment of various dioceses within the state. In 1881, Pope Leo XIII erected the Diocese of Trenton, taking the southern portion of New Jersey from the Diocese of Newark. This diocese, under the leadership of Reverend Winand Wigger, served a Catholic population of 145,000 with 83 churches and 121 priests at the time of his consecration.
New Jersey's significant Catholic population is a testament to the religious diversity and history of the state, with Catholics peacefully coexisting alongside adherents of other faiths.
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Catholicism is the largest religious group in New Jersey
The Archdiocese of Newark, a Latin Church ecclesiastical jurisdiction or archdiocese of the Catholic Church, is based in northeastern New Jersey. The Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark serves as the mother church of the archdiocese, which is led by Cardinal Tobin as of 2023. The archdiocese has a long history, dating back to the 17th century when the British government divided the region into East Jersey and West Jersey. East Jersey, which encompasses the present-day Archdiocese of Newark, was initially hostile towards Catholics. The first priests to venture into this territory were Harvey and Gage, chaplains of the Catholic governor of New York, Thomas Dongan.
New Jersey is home to five Catholic dioceses, including the Archdiocese of Newark. Unfortunately, these dioceses have faced legal issues in recent years, with multiple lawsuits alleging sexual abuse by clergy members. By February 2020, the dioceses had collectively paid over $11 million to compensate 105 claims of sexual abuse, with 98 of these claims resulting in settlements.
Despite these controversies, Catholicism remains a significant part of New Jersey's religious landscape, with a long history dating back to the early days of the state's existence. The large Catholic population in New Jersey reflects a diverse range of cultural and ethnic backgrounds, including French refugees from the Haitian Revolution and various waves of Catholic immigrants attracted by industrial development.
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The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark
Catholicism is the largest religious group in New Jersey, with 2,971,461 adherents, making up about 32% of the population. The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark is led by Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R, the Archbishop of Newark. The Archdiocese of Newark was elevated from the Diocese of Newark, with the Dioceses of Camden, Paterson, and Trenton becoming suffragan sees of the new archdiocese. The first archbishop of Newark was named Walsh, who died in 1952 and was succeeded by Thomas Boland, appointed by Pope Pius XII. Boland founded several schools in the 1960s, including St. Joseph Regional High School in Montvale and Immaculate Heart Academy in Washington Township. However, he was accused by a group of priests of adopting a "white racist attitude" toward African Americans.
In response, Boland issued a report outlining the archdiocese's programs regarding African Americans. He retired in 1974, and Pope Paul VI appointed Bishop Peter Gerety from the Diocese of Portland as the third archbishop of Newark. During his 12-year tenure, Gerety created the Office of Pastoral Renewal, which later became RENEW International, an organization providing resources for small Christian communities in several countries. He also established the Archbishop's Annual Appeal in 1975 and supported ecumenical movements. In 1981, Pope John Paul II designated the Diocese of Metuchen as a suffragan see of the Archdiocese of Newark.
The Archdiocese of Newark has been involved in several controversies. In 2018, a Catholic News Agency article reported on allegations made by six anonymous priests regarding Cardinal Theodore McCarrick and other priests in the archdiocese. The priests claimed that McCarrick invited young men to stay at his house or the cathedral rectory in Newark and that there was a "gay sub-culture" within the archdiocese. The archdiocese denied these claims. Additionally, there have been lawsuits filed against the archdiocese alleging sexual abuse by clergy members, with some claims that the archdiocese failed to take appropriate action.
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The history of Catholicism in New Jersey
Catholicism has a long and significant history in the state of New Jersey. The Catholic Church in New Jersey has been the subject of scholarly and popular historical research, with records dating back to the early days of the United States as a nation.
From 1789 to 1808, New Jersey, along with the rest of the United States, was under the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of the Diocese of Baltimore. This period marked the early development of the Catholic Church in the state, with the establishment of parishes, dioceses, and other religious institutions. During this time, the Catholic Church in New Jersey operated under the guidance and authority of the Diocese of Baltimore, which oversaw the religious affairs of Catholics in the region.
In 1808, West Jersey became a separate ecclesiastical jurisdiction, falling under the Diocese of Philadelphia until 1853. This change in jurisdiction reflected the growing Catholic population in the region and the need for more localized religious administration. During this period, the Catholic Church in West Jersey flourished and established its own unique identity, with the development of parishes, schools, and other Catholic organizations.
Today, Catholicism is the largest religious group in New Jersey, with approximately 2,971,461 adherents as of 2020, comprising about 32% of the state's population. The state is home to several dioceses, including the Archdiocese of Newark, as well as the Dioceses of Camden, Metuchen, Paterson, Trenton, and Passaic. These dioceses oversee a large number of parishes, schools, and other Catholic institutions that serve the religious and spiritual needs of the Catholic community in New Jersey.
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Catholic sex abuse lawsuits in New Jersey
Catholics are the largest religious group in New Jersey, with 2,971,461 adherents, making up about 32% of the population. Unfortunately, the state has also seen numerous lawsuits and scandals involving the Catholic Church and allegations of sexual abuse by clergy members.
In 2019, New Jersey's five Catholic dioceses listed more than 180 priests who had been credibly accused of sexually abusing minors over several decades. Many of the accused were deceased, and others had been removed from ministry. The Camden diocese, for instance, filed for bankruptcy amid a torrent of lawsuits—up to 55, according to court records.
In 2022, the Diocese of Camden agreed to pay $87.5 million to settle allegations involving clergy sexual abuse against some 300 accusers. This was one of the largest cash settlements involving the Catholic Church in the US. The agreement covered six southern New Jersey counties outside Philadelphia.
The Catholic Diocese of Trenton has also requested that a New Jersey federal court dismiss a lawsuit by an insurer aiming to deny coverage for over 200 sexual abuse allegations against clergy. The Diocese of Camden has also received approval for its $87.5 million plan to settle sexual abuse claims, overcoming objections from insurance carriers.
In a separate case, a woman who was sexually abused by her grandfather settled her childhood sex abuse lawsuit for $7.5 million under New Jersey's Child Sex Abuse Act. The lawsuit, M.J. v. Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark, was filed in Essex County. Another lawsuit involved a complaint filed by a plaintiff, K.M., against the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark, Queen of Peace High School, and the Sisters of St. The complaint asserted that the defendants were aware of the risk of sexual abuse by individuals associated with them but failed to take appropriate action.
In 2025, New Jersey's Supreme Court ruled that a grand jury could investigate allegations of clergy sexually abusing children and report its findings. This ruling came after the Diocese of Camden tried for years to block such proceedings but recently reversed its position.
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Frequently asked questions
As of 2020, there were approximately 2,971,461 Catholics in New Jersey, making up about 32% of the state's population.
Yes, since the 1700s, Catholicism has been the largest religion in New Jersey. In 1785, the Catholic population in New Jersey was estimated at approximately 1700, with over half of them living in New Jersey.
As of 2018, 40% of New Jersey's population identified as Catholic, making it the second-highest concentration of Catholics in the United States.
The main Catholic diocese in New Jersey is the Archdiocese of Newark, which is a Latin Church ecclesiastical jurisdiction covering northeastern New Jersey.
