About the Catholic Conference of West Virginia

The Catholic Conference of West Virginia was established to give witness to spiritual values and Catholic teaching in public affairs in the Mountain State. The Conference works to formulate policy positions with reference to state government programs, legislation, and policies that impact the common good and the interests of the Church; to represent and speak for the Church before all branches of state government as well as before other groups and private organizations; and to foster public understanding of the Church’s teachings and concern for morality, health, welfare, education, and human rights.

The Conference works to represent the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston which covers the entire State of West Virginia and was formed on July 19, 1850. It is home to more than 100 parishes, missions, and chapels; 6 high schools and 18 elementary schools with more than 4,100 students; 2 general hospitals and 5 homes for the aged; the St. John’s Home for Children; Wheeling University; and more than 74,000 Catholics.

We, as Catholics, seek the common good. We believe that the shaping of public policy is not simply a task for others, but for each of us and we hold that the principles of Catholic Social Teaching can be used to strengthen public life and build a better West Virginia. We trust that this website will prove of use to you in learning about the social teachings of the Catholic Church and how we can work together to realize the vision of a ‘Life free and simple, with time for one another, and for people’s needs, based on the dignity of the human person, at one with nature’s beauty.’ (This Land is Home to Me (1975))

Matthew R. Bowles
Executive Director
ccwv@dwc.org