Our statement on Gospel Values and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
“And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. “ – Matthew 22:37-39
In the spirit of the Gospel, Christian unity, and the cornerstones, Nazareth Farm, Inc. provides a warm welcome home and services to anyone regardless of age, race, ethnicity, religion, income/economic situation, family composition, physical or emotional ability, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, immigration status, or military status.
As a Catholic community, Nazareth Farm lives out certain truths as taught by the Catholic Church. We believe that every individual is created in the image and likeness of God. We believe that all people have inherent dignity, worth, and value. We believe that we are called to love our neighbors as ourselves, because God loves us all first.
There is a famous Catholic saying that’s been attributed to many different people: ‘We help people because we’re Catholic, not because they’re Catholic.’ This sentiment is true for Nazareth Farm.
For Nazareth Farm, diversity, equity, and inclusion (also known as DEI) is naturally a part of who we are. That’s because the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion are fundamental to Catholic Social Teaching.
Catholic means universal. It means that all are invited to the Good News as we celebrate diversity. The Catechism of the Catholic Church quotes Pope Paul VI, “In the mind of the Lord the Church is universal by vocation and mission, but when she put down her roots in a variety of cultural, social, and human terrains, she takes on different external expressions and appearances in each part of the world.” (CCC 853). At Nazareth Farm, we intentionally invite all varieties of expressions and appearances in our community, knowing that what brings us all together is our shared identity as beloved children of God.
As Catholics we are called to work for justice in the world. The Catechism, once again quoting Pope Paul VI, states, “Their equal dignity as persons demands that we strive for fairer and more humane conditions. Excessive economic and social disparity between individuals and peoples of the one human race is a source of scandal and militates against social justice, equity, human dignity, as well as social and international peace.” (CCC 1938) This is what Nazareth Farm is doing in Appalachia. We are striving for fairer and more humane conditions, ending social disparity, and upholding justice and equity. Throughout Catholic Social Teaching, justice and equity are closely intertwined.
From these principles we naturally understand our work to be inclusive. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches, “Everyone is called to enter the kingdom… this messianic kingdom is intended to accept men of all nations.” (CCC 543) Since all are invited to the kingdom of God, all are invited to Nazareth Farm. We reflect the kingdom by welcoming all home, whoever they may be, and showing them love.
It is because we are Catholic that we must hold onto our DEI policies and Gospel values. All volunteers, staff, and homeowners are asked to sign our DEI/nondiscriminatory agreement that specifies our commitment to being a welcoming community. We include in our contract to all homeowners a clause that states no hate symbols, such as the confederate flag or nazi symbols, are allowed at our works sites. We are intentional to ensure that love and the dignity of the human person is at the core of the Farm.
We are grateful that we have a community that upholds these commitments and values. Our homeowners, staff, volunteers, and donors know what makes Nazareth Farm special is that we are a welcoming community living out our Gospel values and the love of God through our work of prayer, service, and simplicity. We all do our part to make these values a lived reality for our community.
Nazareth Farm continues to be committed to the four cornerstones, our Gospel values, our DEI work, and creating a welcoming home for all. This is who we are and who we will continue to be. We thank our Farm Family for their continued support and hope to welcome you home soon!
Expect a Miracle,
Kate Brown
Executive Director
RESOURCES
Catholic Volunteer Network Statement on Diversity and Racial Justice