Catholic Social Teaching and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Partners in Justice for All

At Saint Michael’s College, we are committed to being a community where all people feel welcome, valued, and respected. In working toward that goal, we recognize that Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and Catholic Social Teaching (CST) both play an important role. Though they come from different places, DEI and CST share a commitment to human dignity, fairness, and creating a just society for all. I want to reflect on how these two frameworks complement one another as we work together to build the Beloved Community.

DEI at Saint Michael’s College

At its core, DEI works to ensure that all people are treated fairly and have equal opportunities, regardless of their background, identity, or experiences. It is not just about policies and

best practices but also about education, cultural awareness, and relationship-building that help foster a community where all people truly feel they belong.

At Saint Michael’s College, we have worked to recognize and value differences in backgrounds and perspectives, striving to ensure that every member of our community has fair access, opportunities, and respect. We know we have not always been perfect in this work, but we continue to move forward, striving to become a more just, inclusive, and welcoming place for all.

The Contribution of Catholic Social Teaching

CST, deeply rooted in the Catholic faith tradition, provides a moral and spiritual foundation for justice. It is built on human dignity, solidarity, and the common good of all. CST calls us not only to work toward justice through laws and policies but also to shape our hearts and minds so that justice, respect, and inclusion for everyone at Saint Michael’s College become a natural way of life.

A key element of CST is solidarity, which reminds us that we are all part of one human family and are called to care for one another. CST also speaks of rights and responsibilities, teaching that everyone has a right to participate in society and that we all have a duty to work for the well-being of others. Like DEI, CST seeks a just world where no one is excluded or marginalized and all find welcome.

Where DEI and CST Meet

Rather than being at odds, DEI and CST need each other. DEI ensures that justice is upheld through policies, procedures, and active efforts

to create fairness for all, while CST calls for the transformation of hearts so that justice for all is not just something we require but something we genuinely desire. In other words, DEI lays the foundation, and CST builds the spirit that makes true inclusion of everyone possible.

A helpful way to think about this is that DEI builds the structure that allows for justice and inclusion, while CST nurtures the values and relationships that make that structure meaningful. The two together help us work toward a world where justice is not just enforced but fully embraced.

Moving Forward as a College Community

At Saint Michael’s, we speak often about the Beloved Community, a vision of a society rooted in love, respect, and justice for all people. This idea, championed by Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., aligns with both DEI and CST. DEI works to remove barriers and ensure fairness, while CST asks us to go further, embracing one another as brothers and sisters, committed to justice for all in our daily lives.

As a college, we recognize that this is ongoing work. We continue to reflect, engage in dialogue, and take action so that Saint Michael’s is a place where fairness, dignity, and mutual respect are not only encouraged but lived. We move forward together, grounded in CST as a Catholic college and drawing from DEI as a welcome partner, as we strive to become the kind of community we are called to be.

If you have thoughts, questions, or just want to continue this conversation, I can be contacted at dtheroux@smcvt.edu. Building a just and inclusive community is something we do together. Let’s talk.