Roman Catholic Diocese of Camden
Encyclopedia
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Camden is a particular church
or diocese
of the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic Church
, located in New Jersey
, United States
, and presides over Roman Catholic parishes and schools in the six southern New Jersey counties of Atlantic
, Camden
, Cape May
, Cumberland
, Gloucester
, and Salem
.
Pope Pius XI
established the Diocese of Camden on December 9, 1937, by breaking it off from the Diocese of Trenton
. Today, the Diocese of Camden presides over 125 parishes. The oldest parish is St. Mary (Gloucester City), which was founded in 1848. Over 500,000 Catholics live within this diocese.
The Bishop
of Camden presides from the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Camden
. However, most major ceremonies are held at Saint Agnes Catholic Church in Blackwood
. Some liturgies are held at St. Joseph Pro-Cathedral
, Camden.
The Diocese of Camden is currently led by Bishop Joseph A. Galante
. On April 2, 2008, Bishop Galante announced the closing of roughly half of the parishes in the diocese. This followed a previous announcement of the closing of various Catholic schools. The closures are different from other dioceses in the United States because where in most locations churches and schools have been closed gradually as populations shifted or the number of priests declined, in the Camden Diocese, they have all been announced at once and are expected to be accomplished within twelve to twenty-four months. The massive closings have proved to be extremely controversial, even prompting protests and letter writing campaigns to Archbishop
John J. Myers
, the Archbishop of Newark, New Jersey
; and Archbishop
Pietro Sambi
, the Apostolic Pro-Nuncio in Washington, D.C.
† = deceased
Particular Church
In Catholic canon law, a Particular Church is an ecclesial community headed by a bishop or someone recognised as the equivalent of a bishop.There are two kinds of particular Churches:# Local particular Churches ...
or diocese
Diocese
A diocese is the district or see under the supervision of a bishop. It is divided into parishes.An archdiocese is more significant than a diocese. An archdiocese is presided over by an archbishop whose see may have or had importance due to size or historical significance...
of the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
, located in New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, and presides over Roman Catholic parishes and schools in the six southern New Jersey counties of Atlantic
Atlantic County, New Jersey
-National protected areas:* Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge * Great Egg Harbor Scenic and Recreational River -Demographics:...
, Camden
Camden County, New Jersey
-Demographics:As of the 2010 Census the population of Camden County was 60.28% Non-Hispanic white, 18.45% Non-Hispanic black, 1.12% Hispanic blacks, 0.17% Non-Hispanic Native American, 0.15% Hispanic Native Americans, 5.07% Non-Hispanic Asian, and 0.14% non-Hispanics reporting some other race...
, Cape May
Cape May County, New Jersey
-Climate:Being the southernmost point in New Jersey, Cape May has fairly mild wintertime temperatures. Contrary to that, the summertime has lower temperatures than most places in the state, making the county a popular place to escape the heat. It is in zone 7a/7b, which is the same as parts of...
, Cumberland
Cumberland County, New Jersey
Cumberland County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2010 Census, the population is 156,898. Its county seat is Bridgeton. Cumberland County is named for Prince William, Duke of Cumberland....
, Gloucester
Gloucester County, New Jersey
Gloucester County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2010 Census, the population was 288,288. Its county seat is Woodbury....
, and Salem
Salem County, New Jersey
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 64,285 people, 24,295 households, and 17,370 families residing in the county. The population density was 190 people per square mile . There were 26,158 housing units at an average density of 77 per square mile...
.
Pope Pius XI
Pope Pius XI
Pope Pius XI , born Ambrogio Damiano Achille Ratti, was Pope from 6 February 1922, and sovereign of Vatican City from its creation as an independent state on 11 February 1929 until his death on 10 February 1939...
established the Diocese of Camden on December 9, 1937, by breaking it off from the Diocese of Trenton
Roman Catholic Diocese of Trenton
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Trenton is a diocese of the Roman Catholic Church in southern New Jersey, United States. Its ecclesiastic territory includes the counties of Burlington, Monmouth, Ocean, and Mercer ....
. Today, the Diocese of Camden presides over 125 parishes. The oldest parish is St. Mary (Gloucester City), which was founded in 1848. Over 500,000 Catholics live within this diocese.
The Bishop
Bishop (Catholic Church)
In the Catholic Church, a bishop is an ordained minister who holds the fullness of the sacrament of Holy Orders and is responsible for teaching the Catholic faith and ruling the Church....
of Camden presides from the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Camden
Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Camden
The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception is a Catholic Cathedral located in Camden, New Jersey, United States. It is the seat of the Diocese of Camden, and it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2003 as the Church of the Immaculate Conception...
. However, most major ceremonies are held at Saint Agnes Catholic Church in Blackwood
Blackwood, New Jersey
Blackwood is a census-designated place located within Gloucester Township, in Camden County, New Jersey. As of the 2000 United States Census, the section population was 4,692...
. Some liturgies are held at St. Joseph Pro-Cathedral
St. Joseph Pro-Cathedral (Camden, New Jersey)
St. Joseph Pro-Cathedral is a Catholic parish located on the east side of Camden, New Jersey, United States. It serves as the pro-cathedral of the Diocese of Camden. It is one of two parishes in the city of Camden to be named St. Joseph. The other one is St...
, Camden.
The Diocese of Camden is currently led by Bishop Joseph A. Galante
Joseph A. Galante
Joseph Anthony Galante is an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He currently serves as the Bishop of Camden, having previously served as Bishop of Beaumont from 1994 to 1999 and Coadjutor Bishop of Dallas from 1999 to 2004....
. On April 2, 2008, Bishop Galante announced the closing of roughly half of the parishes in the diocese. This followed a previous announcement of the closing of various Catholic schools. The closures are different from other dioceses in the United States because where in most locations churches and schools have been closed gradually as populations shifted or the number of priests declined, in the Camden Diocese, they have all been announced at once and are expected to be accomplished within twelve to twenty-four months. The massive closings have proved to be extremely controversial, even prompting protests and letter writing campaigns to Archbishop
Archbishop
An archbishop is a bishop of higher rank, but not of higher sacramental order above that of the three orders of deacon, priest , and bishop...
John J. Myers
John J. Myers
-References:...
, the Archbishop of Newark, New Jersey
Newark, New Jersey
Newark is the largest city in the American state of New Jersey, and the seat of Essex County. As of the 2010 United States Census, Newark had a population of 277,140, maintaining its status as the largest municipality in New Jersey. It is the 68th largest city in the U.S...
; and Archbishop
Archbishop
An archbishop is a bishop of higher rank, but not of higher sacramental order above that of the three orders of deacon, priest , and bishop...
Pietro Sambi
Pietro Sambi
Pietro Sambi was an Italian Roman Catholic prelate who served in the Vatican's Secretariat of State. At the time of his death, he was the Titular Archbishop of Bellicastrum and the Apostolic Nuncio to the United States....
, the Apostolic Pro-Nuncio in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
Bishops of the Diocese of Camden (terms of service)
- † Bishop Bartholomew J. EustaceBartholomew J. EustaceBartholomew Joseph Eustace was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Bishop of Camden from 1938 until his death in 1956.-Early life and priesthood:...
(1938–1956) (died December 11, 1956) - † Bishop Justin J. McCarthyJustin J. McCarthyJustin Joseph McCarthy was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Bishop of Camden from 1957 until his death in 1959.-Biography:...
(1957–1959) (died December 26, 1959) - † Archbishop Celestine DamianoCelestine DamianoCelestine Joseph Damiano was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Apostolic Delegate to South Africa and Bishop of Camden .-Biography:...
(1960–1967) (died October 2, 1967) - † Bishop George H. GuilfoyleGeorge Henry GuilfoyleGeorge Henry Guilfoyle was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Bishop of Camden from 1968 to 1989.-Early life and education:...
(1968–1989) (retired on May 13, 1989; died June 11, 1991) - † Bishop James T. McHugh (1989–1998) (appointed coadjutor bishop of Rockville Centre on December 7, 1998; succeeded to the office of bishop of that diocese on January 4, 2000; died in December 2000)
- Bishop Nicholas Anthony DiMarzioNicholas Anthony DiMarzioNicholas DiMarzio is an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He is the seventh and current Bishop of Brooklyn, having previously served as Bishop of Camden from 1999 to 2003.- Early life :...
(1999–2003) (appointed bishop of Brooklyn on August 1, 2003) - Bishop Joseph A. GalanteJoseph A. GalanteJoseph Anthony Galante is an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He currently serves as the Bishop of Camden, having previously served as Bishop of Beaumont from 1994 to 1999 and Coadjutor Bishop of Dallas from 1999 to 2004....
(2004–present)
† = deceased
High schools
- Bishop Eustace Preparatory SchoolBishop Eustace Preparatory SchoolBishop Eustace Preparatory School is a coeducational private high school in Pennsauken Township, New Jersey, which was founded in 1954 by the priests and brothers of the Society of the Catholic Apostolate . The school was named after Bishop Bartholomew J...
, Pennsauken Township - Camden Catholic High SchoolCamden Catholic High SchoolCamden Catholic High School is a four-year comprehensive private coeducational Roman Catholic High School, located in Cherry Hill Township, New Jersey, serving students from the Camden County area...
, Cherry Hill Township - Gloucester Catholic High SchoolGloucester Catholic High SchoolGloucester Catholic High School is a co-educational four-year Roman Catholic high school located in Gloucester City, New Jersey, United States. The school operates under the auspices of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Camden...
, Gloucester City - Holy Spirit High School, Absecon
- Our Lady of Mercy Academy (New Jersey)Our Lady of Mercy Academy (New Jersey)Our Lady of Mercy Academy is a college preparatory, all-girls Catholic high school founded in 1962 by the Daughters of Our Lady of Mercy in Franklin Township, New Jersey, United States. Despite its location in Franklin Township, the school has a Newfield mailing address...
, Newfield - Paul VI High SchoolPaul VI High SchoolPaul VI High School is a private Catholic high school located in Haddon Township, New Jersey. As there is no post office in Haddon Township, the mailing address is Haddonfield, New Jersey, United States. The school is named in honor of Pope Paul VI, and was founded in 1966. The Paul VI sports and...
, Haddonfield - Sacred Heart High School (New Jersey)Sacred Heart High School (New Jersey)Sacred Heart High School is a co-educational four-year Catholic high school in Vineland, New Jersey, United States, operating under the auspices of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Camden...
, Vineland - St. Joseph High School (Hammonton, New Jersey)St. Joseph High School (Hammonton, New Jersey)St. Joseph High School is a four-year co-educational Catholic high school located in Hammonton, New Jersey, United States, serving students in grades 9–12, under the auspices of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Camden...
, Hammonton - Wildwood Catholic High SchoolWildwood Catholic High SchoolWildwood Catholic High School is a co-educational four-year Catholic high school in North Wildwood, New Jersey, United States. The school operates under the auspices of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Camden. The school opened in September 1948 with an initial enrollment of 80 students...
, North Wildwood
Ecclesiastical province
See also
- List of the Catholic cathedrals of the United States
- List of the Catholic dioceses of the United States
- Plenary Councils of BaltimorePlenary Councils of BaltimoreThe Plenary Councils of Baltimore were three national meetings of Roman Catholic bishops in the 19th century in Baltimore, Maryland.During the early history of the Roman Catholic Church in the United States all of the dioceses were part of one ecclesiastical province under the Archbishop of Baltimore...
- Roman Catholicism in the United StatesRoman Catholicism in the United StatesThe Catholic Church in the United States is part of the worldwide Catholic Church, the Christian Church in full communion with the Pope. With more than 68.5 registered million members, it is the largest single religious denomination in the United States, comprising about 22 percent of the population...
- Catholicism and American politicsCatholicism and American politicsMembers of the Catholic Church have been active in the politics of the United States since the mid 19th century. The U.S. has never had an important religious party...
- History of Roman Catholicism in the United StatesHistory of Roman Catholicism in the United StatesCatholicism first came to the territories now forming the United States with the Spanish explorers and settlers in present-day Florida , Georgia , and the southwest...
External links
- Diocese of Camden Official Web Site
- Catholic Charities of Camden
- Catholic Star Herald - Official Online Newspaper of the Diocese
- Faith in the Future - Schools News and Information Site for the Diocese
- Gathering Gods Gifts - Parish Planning for the Diocese
- Lay Ministry Formation Program - Diocese Education Program
- New Jersey Provincial Directory