Father Gonzalez will begin leading the mother church of the archdiocese on November 15.
Newark, NJ – By Sean Quinn
Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., Archbishop of Newark, has appointed Father Matthew Gonzalez as rector of the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark. Father Gonzalez will begin his ministry at the Cathedral Basilica on November 15 and will be introduced to parishioners during weekend Masses.
Father Gonzalez, 31, currently serves as parochial vicar at St. Bartholomew’s Church in Scotch Plains, a position he has held since his ordination in 2022. He succeeds Bishop Pedro Bismarck Chau, who left the post after being appointed auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Newark. Bishop Chau will join parishioners to welcome Father Gonzalez during his first Masses in November.
“I am pleased to welcome Father Matthew Gonzalez as the new rector of our Cathedral Basilica,” said Cardinal Tobin. “His faith, pastoral heart, and energy will strengthen the parish community and help the Cathedral continue to be an instrument of unity for the Archdiocese of Newark and a spiritual refuge for all who visit.”
“Being appointed rector of the Cathedral Basilica is both a humbling and exciting experience—it truly is the work of the Holy Spirit,” said Father Gonzalez. “I am grateful to the St. Bartholomew community, which has formed me into the priest I am today, and I am honored by the opportunity to serve the Church of Newark in this new mission. I look forward to what God has in store for us.”
Born in March 1994, Father Gonzalez grew up in New Milford and attended St. John the Evangelist Church in Bergenfield. His calling to the priesthood first arose in the third grade, though he seriously considered it in his teens while involved in youth and music ministries. After exploring other career paths, he entered seminary at Seton Hall University.
Father Gonzalez earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Catholic theology, as well as a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) and a Master of Systematic Theology (MA). Since his ordination, he has strengthened parish life at St. Bartholomew by expanding youth ministry, creating a Hispanic committee, founding a vocations team, and establishing the Mass of Our Lady of Guadalupe for Spanish speakers, which now draws approximately 300 people each year. As chaplain of St. Bartholomew Academy, he initiated family faith evenings, daily Mass, retreats, and a theology club.
At the Cathedral Basilica, Father Gonzalez plans to first listen to the parishioners to understand their needs. His goal is to help the Cathedral Basilica fully fulfill its role as the Mother Church of the Archdiocese, building a community that nurtures the faith of its members.
“The key word that comes to mind is ‘encounter,’” said Father Gonzalez. “The Cathedral can be a place where people encounter welcome, meaningful relationships, and the love of the heart of Jesus. Through these encounters, they can discover their place in God’s plan and put their gifts at the service of both the Cathedral community and the Archdiocese as a whole.”
For more information about the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart, visit www.newarkbasilica.org .
About the Archdiocese of Newark
The Archdiocese of Newark serves 1.3 million Catholics in Bergen, Essex, Hudson, and Union counties in northern New Jersey. Led by Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., the sixth Archbishop of Newark, the Archdiocese includes 211 parishes, 67 Catholic schools, and numerous missions and ministries dedicated to faith, education, and social service. For more information, visit www.rcan.org .
