North Dakota Catholic Conference

The North Dakota Catholic Bishops' Voice on Public Policy

Formed in 1969 by the Roman Catholic Bishops of North Dakota, the North Dakota Catholic Conference is the means by which the Catholic bishops of the state act together on public policy matters for the mutual well-being of the Catholic Church and all citizens throughout the state. By collaborating with political and public organizations, the North Dakota Catholic Conference, inspired by Sacred Scripture and the teachings of the Church, works at the appropriate level of government for legislation and regulations that reflect the Gospel message of respecting for human life and promoting the common good.

The North Dakota Catholic Conference:

✜ Serves as the official liaison for the dioceses of Fargo and Bismarck in matters of public policy
✜ Operates a Legislative Action Network connecting parishioners to the their local legislators
✜ Assists priests, educators, praishioners, and citizens on matters concerning Catholic social teaching and public policy
✜ Educates on Catholic social teaching and public policy matters
✜ Works with Catholic health care institutions to further the Church's health care ministry

A Multi-Issue Public Policy Voice for the Church

Dedicated to contributing the Church's message to matters affecting human life, the poor, families, and the common good, the North Dakota Catholic Conference addresses a broad spectrum of issues.

✜ Respect and Protection for all Human Life
✜ Health Care
✜ Religious Liberty
✜ Concern and Respect for the Poor and Powerless
✜ Children
✜ Education
✜ Family Life
✜ Economic Justice
✜ Rural Life
✜ Environmental Justice

Logo for the North Dakota Catholic Conference

The logo retains the color, font, shape, and arrangement of the old logo, signifying continuity with the conference’s history.

The background consists of two halves of pointed arches, evoking church architecture and bishops’ miters, and representing the bishops of Bismarck and Fargo and their respective dioceses. The two half-arches join to form a solid colored arch, representing the unity with which the two bishops speak through the conference.

An outline of the State of North Dakota rests at the foot of the cross, where we must ultimately place all concerns of the state and its people.

Dioceses: Two (Bismarck and Fargo)

Catholics: Total: 149,316 (23.5% of total population)

Schools: 27 (4 high schools, 23 elementary schools)
Students: 5446

Higher Educational Institutions: 2
Students: 3322

Hospitals: 13
Long-Term Care Facilities: 15
Other Health Care Facilities: 1
Patients served in 2005: 386,195

Other Service Institutions: 7

Diocesan Newspapers circulation: 52,163

Parishes: 199

Priests: 251
Permanent Deacons: 114
Women Religious: 282
Brothers: 21



(Sources: 2006 Official Catholic Directory; dioceses and the institutions)

Christopher Dodson serves as the Executive Director and General Counsel for the North Dakota Catholic Conference. Dodson received his law degree from the University of California, Berkeley, and his B.A. from the University of California, Riverside. He has served as the conference's director since 1995.

Christopher is a past vice-president and president of the National Association of State Catholic Conference Directors, served on the board of directors for the National Catholic Rural Life Conference, as a consultant to the Committee on Pro-Life Activities for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, and the ad hoc Pro-Life Legal Advisory group for the USCCB. He also serves as a board member of the North Dakota Conference of Churches.

A convert to the Catholic faith, Dodson lives in Jamestown with his wife and three children.

Caitlin McDonald is the conference's health care advocate and office manager. As the health care advocate she represents the bishops and the state's many Catholic health care facilities in matters relating to public policy. She is also responsible for the annual Catholic health care conference which focuses on workshops and presentations of interest to the state's Catholic health care facilities.