Before Gethsemane: New Catholic Initiative Works to End Racial Injustice
“You have been told, O mortal, what is good, and what the LORD requires of you: Only to do justice and to love goodness, and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8).
The Garden of Gethsemane
In 2001, Pope St. John Paul II said that “racism is a sin that constitutes a serious offense against God”; after all, by definition, it denies the dignity of the human person, the fact that each person is made in the image and likeness of God. As a result, it’s offensive to God and should be offensive to his children, too.
The new Before Gethsemane Initiative (BGI) is grounded in this Catholic understanding of the dignity of the human person. Its mission is “to promote racial reconciliation, healing and awareness about racism and xenophobia from an understanding of the inherent dignity of the human person from conception to natural death,” through prayer, fasting, and racial sensitivity training.
I reached out to BGI to learn more. Co-director Maria Benes responded and answered my questions. Here’s what I learned.
Filling a Gap
BGI is hoping to fill what its founders see as a gap in current Catholic and secular initiatives aimed at addressing racial injustice. While many secular organizations “do a good job of exposing the truth of discrimination and inhumane treatment of marginalized communities of color, migrants, and refugees in our country throughout history and in current times,” said Benes, many “don’t fully embrace the inherent dignity of the human person from conception to natural death and the fullness of Church teachings on all issues.” BGI’s team is also hoping to offer “a response that is different than the cancel culture that both extremes of the political aisle offer.”
“As Catholics,” she said, “we offer forgiveness and a call to conversion instead of shaming and cancelling. Everyone is redeemable by the grace of God and can turn away from any sins, including those related to racism and xenophobia.”
Many Catholic organizations, meanwhile, have “side committees, projects, or programs to teach about and counter racism,” but many are “underfunded, understaffed, and limited in scope by locality, resources, or target audience,” said Benes. Other organizations “don’t discuss the full reality of racism and xenophobia in our country and fail to acknowledge that discrimination is still very much a problem.” There is only one other Catholic organization, to her knowledge, that is focused solely on racism. One way BGI is unique is its “series of tools to help keep controversial conversations civil and respectful before we even dive into the material.”
“I think our country first and foremost needs to learn how to have these types of conversations around hot-button topics in a way that is loving of others with whom we disagree,” said Benes.
In addition to these tools, Before Gethsemane “will be rolling out some major collaborations” shortly, Benes told me. “We are in the process of collaborating with Catholic psychologists to help provide low-cost mentorship to Catholics of color who want to focus on their mental health.” In addition, the organization offers racial sensitivity programs to Catholic schools, parishes, seminaries, and organizations and will also work with any bishops, clergy, religious, and consecrated Catholics who want to partner with them.
Relying on God
Nothing is possible without God, but anything is possible with him (Philippians 4:13). “As recently noted by Janine Christiano, our Board Treasurer, we won’t be able to solve this problem without God,” said Benes. “I think she is exactly right that Our Lord alone can truly bring about an end to injustice, heal wounds and move us toward unity and love of neighbor in Him.”
The name “Before Gethsemane” is inspired by Jesus’ prayer in John 17 before he enters the Garden of Gethsemane. It’s a beautiful prayer of unity and a reminder that Christ died for all of us, that we all might know the Father’s great love. “I think Jesus chose to pray that we might all be one very deliberately, and we get a true sense of what was on Jesus’ heart that night,” said Benes. “Those of us on the BGI team feel Jesus’ prayer fully embodies the mission that we are going for at Before Gethsemane.”
“Furthermore,” she added, “as Chenele Shaw (my co-director) mentioned, she feels that Jesus’ suffering and agony in the Garden of Gethsemane is a pain with which so many people of color identify. After weeks of praying and having conversations about our nonprofit name with many people on our planning committee, we felt that John 17 should be our signature Bible verse for our organization.”
“I have given them the glory you gave me, so that they may be one, as we are one,” prayed Jesus. Yes, it’s an apt verse for an organization aimed at reminding us that we are all one as God’s children. And, with the verse in the name of the organization, the BGI team has a constant reminder of its reliance on God.
A More Equitable Workplace
I asked Benes what tips she could offer Catholic women in business to make their workplace more equitable for people of all races. She said an important step is taking any steps in their purview to make sure the staff “reflect[s] the diversity of God’s creation.” Also key is making sure policies and procedures are just. “For example, does your workplace dress code account for hairstyles of men and women of all races?”
For women who work in a Catholic organization, she said, take a look at the artwork in your office: Do you only display portraits of European saints? The Catholic Church is universal and has saints from cultures around the world. Even Mary, who was from the Middle East, shows up around the world looking like the people to whom she appears. Do the hallways of your parish or ministry office reflect that universality?
“Finally,” Benes said, “we all need to help create a culture that encourages people to bring up concerns when they feel discriminated [against] or alienated at work without fear of retribution.” Women in leadership positions have the opportunity—and the responsibility—to create a culture that respects the dignity of each person and ensures his or her physical and emotional well-being.
His Work
BGI’s website states, “At BGI, we completely affirm the fullness of the teachings of the Magisterium of the Catholic Church. All those involved in a public position with BGI sign a fidelity statement that they completely adhere to the Church’s teachings on all issues.” After all, as Benes said, “The Church teachings have so much to offer in the areas of reconciliation and healing. There is such richness and depth in Catholic social doctrine, and yet it is sometimes taught as an afterthought in Catholic spaces.”
“Along with this social teaching,” Benes concluded, “Jesus is the Divine Physician who can heal our wounds and make all things new. Anytime we are asked to go into a school, parish, or other Catholic space, our team will pray and fast for those with whom we prepare to meet. We can’t wait to see where Our Lord takes this mission because after all this is His work, not ours. We are just honored that we get to be a part of His beautiful ministry!”
Taryn Oesch DeLong is a wife and mother in Raleigh, NC. In between changing diapers, reading stories, and singing lullabies, she is also a freelance editor and writer. Passionate about supporting women in work, in life, and in health, she is the managing editor of Catholic Women in Business; a contributor at Natural Womanhood, CatholicMom.com, and Live Today Well Co.; and a fertility awareness advocate and FEMM instructor. In her free time, Taryn enjoys relaxing with a cup of Earl Grey and a Jane Austen novel. She also volunteers with the pro-life ministry at her parish and plays the piano and the flute. Taryn’s favorite saints are Sts. Joseph, Zélie, Thérèse, and Teresa of Calcutta. Follow Taryn on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn, or read her blog, Everyday Roses.