Cardinal Tobin shares pastoral letter for renewal in Archdiocese of Newark
Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., Archbishop of Newark, released a pastoral letter titled We Are His Witnesses on Jan. 6, inviting clergy, religious, and lay faithful in the archdiocese to embark on a transformative journey of pastoral conversion and missionary discipleship.
Unveiled on the Solemnity of the Epiphany, the letter—available in English and Spanish—offers reflections and outlines themes for a multi-year initiative to guide the archdiocese in shaping a vibrant, hopeful future for its Church community in northern New Jersey. Cardinal Tobin emphasized the initiative’s focus on synodality, a collaborative approach inspired by Pope Francis’ vision of the Church as a community of missionary disciples.
“Our job is to open our minds and hearts to whatever new things the Holy Spirit is doing in our midst,” Cardinal Tobin wrote, encouraging parishes to foster synodal leadership and form alliances to strengthen ministry efforts. “At the heart of this process is a spirit of collaboration and co-responsibility between archdiocesan and parish leaders as we work alongside the people we serve to discern the future of the Archdiocese of Newark together.”
Led by Auxiliary Bishop Michael A. Saporito and a Commission on Pastoral Planning, the initiative aims to culminate in a unified pastoral plan by 2026. Cardinal Tobin encourages the faithful to participate actively, saying, “We must be bold and courageous in responding to God’s call, but any changes to ministries, services, or structures will be the result of careful consultation, open dialogue, and prayerful discernment of God’s will for His Church.”
The letter calls on Catholics in the archdiocese to embrace the mission of witnessing to Christ and proclaiming the Gospel amid the evolving landscape in northern New Jersey. For more information, visit www.rcan.org/we-are-his-witnesses.
