N.J. bishops discuss consecrated life, synodality

The Catholic bishops of the state met earlier this month with some 60 superiors or their delegates of mens’ and womens’ orders of consecrated life doing apostolic works in the ecclesiastical province of New Jersey. Given the proximity of the recent synod in Rome, the bishops and religious chose the theme “Consecrated Life in a Synodal Church: Resources and Realities.” Sister of Charity of the Incarnate Word (CCVI) Teresa Maya gave the day’s presentation on the concept of synodality.

Held in Saint David the King Church and Parish Hall, West Windsor, the Dec. 6 event was also the final meeting of 2024 for the bishops, who gather quarterly each year as the New Jersey Catholic Conference (NJCC) to discuss matters of interest or common concern to the Catholic Church. Chaired by the Metropolitan Archbishop of Newark, Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., the meetings are usually held in a different diocese each time. The agenda for each NJCC meeting is solicited from among the bishops and then prepared by James King, the Conference’s executive director.

The joint meetings between the bishops and the Major Superiors of Religious Institutes and Societies of Apostolic Life in the province are typically held every 2-3 years. The last meeting was held in 2019. This year’s meeting with religious was organized by Bishop Elias R. Lorenzo, O.S.S.B., auxiliary bishop of Newark, who shared in a recent social media post: “Mutual relations between bishops and religious, carried out sincerely and readily, will be of great value in achieving the dynamic vitality of the Church-Sacrament in its admirable mission of salvation.” (Mutuae Relationes, April 23, 1978)

Featured Image: New Jersey’s Catholic bishops gather for their quarterly meeting earlier this month. (Courtesy photos)