“And the greatest of these is love.” – 1 Corinthians 13:13
The root of Christianity is radical love—a love that protects, includes, and serves. As Christians and Marianists, we are not only called to love, we are called to build community, especially with those who have been excluded by oppression, including white supremacy. As members of the Marianist Social Justice Collaborative (MSJC), we believe this call includes a deep commitment to antiracism to bring ourselves into right relationship where MSJC and the larger Church have caused harm, historically and in the present.

Our charism compels us to respond to the signs of our time. Our founders modeled a radically inclusive faith—gathering people across class divisions and social standing to build communities of shared mission where all were welcome. Throughout His ministry, Jesus also chose to be in solidarity with those on the margins. He stood with the poor, the outcast, the oppressed, and all genders. Mary, too, said yes to a life of courageous discipleship—present at the foot of the cross and in the upper room, attentive to those in need.

Today, we recognize that American society continues to suffer from the lasting effects of systemic white supremacy, rooted in the legacy of the institution of slavery. While some deny this reality, seek to end all efforts at diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), and claim people should be judged on their merit alone, not their race, this perspective overlooks the real and persistent discrimination that people of color face across public services including education, healthcare, and the justice system. MSJC chooses not to ignore or sideline this reality. Inspired by the Gospel and grounded in our Marianist identity, we are committed to naming and challenging the ongoing sin of white supremacy. 

As part of this commitment, MSJC is intentionally working to become an antiracist organization. This means looking inward and outward—reevaluating how race impacts our programming, leadership, and community; naming our part in past mistakes and ongoing racial harms and prioritizing any necessary repair with the people of color in this beloved community; creating spaces for authentic dialogue and transformation; and making the changes needed to center equity in all aspects of our work.

We are proud to be an organization addressing a wide range of injustices—including LGBTQ+ and women’s inclusion, integral ecology, immigration reform, death penalty abolition–and we seek to remain aware of and responsive to emerging injustices. This statement speaks specifically to our antiracism work and the foundational reason why MSJC commits to it as part of our broader mission. Because racism is the societal foundation that enables oppression, we know that our commitment to antiracism deepens, expands, and enriches the work of all our justice initiatives.

When members of our community are harmed by racism, we all are harmed. When one part of the Body of Christ suffers, the whole body suffers (1 Corinthians 12:26). Rooted in love, led by Jesus, held by Mary, and informed by our Marianist charism, MSJC continues this holy work of antiracism—so that all people may flourish in the fullness of God’s justice and love.

Why is MSJC Committed to Organizational Antiracism?