Our Diversity Statement

     Catholic Charities in the Diocese of Paterson is committed to grow and to build a workplace and society that truly honors and respects the dignity of each human person, made in the image of God. Our equity statement proceeds from the fundamental principle of Catholic social and biblical teaching on the dignity of the human person: “God created mankind in his image; in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” (Genesis 1:27). The first truth about each human person is that God loves her or him (John 3:16).

    We affirm the transcendent dignity and worth of every human person, from conception to natural death, regardless of age, gender, race, nationality or ethnic group, religious tradition, socioeconomic class, immigration status, disability, sexual orientation, or anything else.

     Our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion arises from our aspirations about the community we are committed to serve. It goes to the heart of our mission, to who we are and to what we want to be. Human beings are inescapably social, and the flourishing of each person is possible only in a social context in which we each have responsibilities to others and others have reciprocal responsibilities to us. Together, we strive to realize the common good — that which enables the community and its members to flourish personally and communally.