Issues & Actions

As Catholics, we are part of a community with a rich heritage that helps us consider the challenges in public life and contribute to greater justice and peace for all people.

Child & Youth Protection

The Child and Youth Protection unit is aimed at creating safe environments for the children and youth in our parishes and Catholic schools. Our mission is to assist parishes and schools in understanding and implementing the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. This involves criminal background screenings and training certification programs that advance the safety of our children.

Marriage & Family

The Department of Youth, Marriage and Family Life is here to support you and your family, recognizing that your family is "holy, not because it is perfect, but because God's grace is at work in it, helping it to set out anew every day on the way to love." (from the U.S Bishops' Pastoral Statement: Follow the Way of Love)

Human Life & Dignity

These are the words that should describe our efforts to educate all Catholics and others of good will in the area of Respect Life.  Our mission is the conversion of both minds and hearts to the truth of Christ.  We seek to provide opportunities to successfully teach that all life is sacred from conception to natural death.

Cultural Diversity in the Church

The diocese celebrates and supports the many culturally diverse parish communities, working to establish an environment of welcome, provide a variety of resources and promote awareness of the richness cultural diversity brings to the Church.

Religious Liberty

Pope Benedict XVI spoke last year about his worry that religious liberty in the United States is being weakened. He called religious liberty the “most cherished of American freedoms.” However, unfortunately, our most cherished freedom is under threat.

Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship

"Responsible citizenship is a virtue, and participation in political life is a moral obligation." (Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship)

Fortnight for Freedom

The United States Bishops’ have asked for “a great hymn of prayer in our country,” from June 21 (Vigil of the Memorial of St. John Fisher, Bishop and St. Thomas More, Martyr) through to July 4 – Independence Day, in support of religious freedom. In the Diocese of Trenton, these efforts will be primarily parish-based.

Informing Catholic Consciences

The Roman Catholic Church (RCC) in the United States does not endorse any candidate for political office whatsoever and does not endorse any political party. In its 2007 statement “Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship,” the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) states that “we bish¬ops do not intend to tell Catholics for whom or against whom to vote” but, rather, “to help Catholics form their consciences in accordance with God’s truth (paragraph 7).”)