<\/p>\n
by CAPP-USA<\/span><\/h5>\n <\/p>\n
\n![\"What](\"https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/AdobeStock_236072977.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
What is poverty? What are the types of poverty?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
The Definition of Poverty<\/span><\/h2>\n
The Holy Fathers do much to ensure our understanding of \u201cwho is poor\u201d and “what is poverty” avoid a one-<\/span>dimensional focus.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nPoverty is not just material<\/strong>. It is also moral and spiritual. Poverty is an affront to human dignity, and so the Church has always taught a preferential option for the poor.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nA preferential option for the poor \u201cdemands before all else an appreciation of the immense dignity of the poor\u201d. (Pope Francis, 158)<\/a> <\/span><\/span><\/p>\nAs Pope St. John Paul II taught, \u201ci<\/span>t is well known that there are many other forms of poverty, especially in modern society \u2013 not only\u00a0<\/span>economic but cultural and spiritual poverty<\/strong> as well<\/span>.\u201d\u00a0<\/span>(Centesimus Annus, 57)<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\u201cIt is not possible to understand man o<\/span>n the basis of economics alone\u201d. (Centesimus Annus, 24)<\/em><\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nMaterial Poverty<\/span><\/h2>\n
Material poverty “affects those\u00a0living in conditions opposed to human dignity: those who lack basic rights and needs<\/strong> such as food, water, hygiene, work and the opportunity t<\/span>o develop and grow culturally”. (Pope Francis, 2)<\/a><\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n“What <\/span>are<\/span>\u00a0less than human conditions? The material poverty of those who lack the bare necessities of life, and the moral poverty of those who are crushed under the weight of their own self-l<\/span>ove”<\/span>\u00a0(Pope St. Paul VI, 21)<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nMoral Poverty<\/span><\/h2>\n
Moral <\/span>poverty is much worse because it entails a situation \u201c<\/span>without faith<\/span>, without support, without hope<\/span>:\u201d\u00a0(Message for Lent, 2014, 2)<\/a><\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/p>\nIt “consists in<\/span> slavery to vice and sin<\/strong>“.\u00a0(Pope Francis, 2)<\/a><\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n“Contemporary culture seems to have lost the sense of good and evil”.\u00a0(Pope Benedict XVI, 1)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nSpiritual Poverty<\/span><\/h2>\n
This last type of poverty may be the worst. We experience spiritual poverty “when we turn away from God<\/strong>\u00a0and reject his love. If we think we<\/span>\u00a0don\u2019t need God\u2026<\/span>we are headed for a fall. God alone can truly save and free us.” <\/span>(Pope Francis, 2)<\/a><\/span> <\/span><\/p>\nWhile \u201c<\/span>Man needs to be liberated<\/span>\u00a0from material oppressions\u2026<\/span>more profoundly he must be saved from the evils that afflict the spirit.\u201d\u00a0<\/span>(Pope Benedict XVI)<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Pope Francis brings it home when he teaches, \u201cthere is only one real kind of poverty: not living as children of God and brothers and sisters of Christ.\u201d (2014 Lenten Message, 1)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nAll forms of poverty require and deserve a \u201cpreferential option\u201d.
<\/span><\/p>\nWhat do We do “Practically” about Poverty?<\/span><\/h2>\n
In the US, there are populations that live without water, food, housing, but many more still that lack <\/span><\/strong>\u201c<\/span>the opportunity to develop and grow culturally<\/span><\/strong>\u201d.\u00a0(Pope Francis, 2)<\/a><\/span> They\u00a0<\/span>live with rampant drug use, crime, poor education, collapsed family structures, and sexual exploitation.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n While economic aid is needed, focusing\u00a0<\/span>only\u00a0<\/span>on economic responses (earned income tax credits, minimum wage, etc.) will not cure this ill because<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u201c<\/span>Of\u00a0<\/span>itself<\/span>, an economic system does not possess criteria for correctly distinguishing new and higher forms of satisfying human needs from artificial new needs.\u201d\u00a0(Pope St. John Paul II, 36)<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n“T<\/span>his time\u00a0<\/span>of crisis” is<\/span>\u00a0\u201ca human crisis<\/strong>: it is the human person that is in crisis! Man himself is in danger of being destroyed!\u201d<\/span>\u00a0(Pope Francis)<\/em><\/a><\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/p>\nWe must go deeper because “In the last analysis” our problems “are to be found in a current self-centered and materialistic way of thinking that fails to acknowledge the limitations inherent in every creature”. (Pope Benedict XVI)<\/em><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n\u201cWithout God man neither knows which way to go\u00a0<\/span>nor even understands who he is\u201d!<\/span>\u00a0(Pope Benedict XVI, 78)<\/span><\/a> <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nThe\u00a0\u201cideological rejection of God and an atheism of indifference, oblivious to the Creator and at risk of becoming equally oblivious to human values, constitute some of the<\/strong> chief\u00a0obstacles to development today<\/strong>.\u201d\u00a0(Pope Benedict XVI, 78)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nThe Social Responsibilities of the ‘Haves’ toward the ‘Have Nots’ — in all Three Areas<\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/strong>\u201cIt is\u00a0<\/span>all men who are called to further the development of human society as a whole.<\/span>\u201d<\/span>(Pope St. Paul VI, 17)<\/em><\/a> But, some shoulder greater responsibility: “To whom much is given,<\/strong> much is expected<\/strong>“. (<\/span>Luke 12:48<\/span>) <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n“Those who are more influential, because they have a greater share of goods and common services, should feel responsible for the weaker and be ready to share with them”. (Pope St. John Paul II, 39)<\/em><\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nIt must be reiterated that “the more fortunate should renounce some of their rights so as to place their goods more generously at the service of others”. (Pope Francis, 190)<\/em><\/a><\/span><\/p>\nWhat Exactly is the Preferential Option for the Poor?<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nStructural Poverty and Catholic Social Teaching<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nWho are the Working Poor?<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nHelping the Poor<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nThe Poorest Country in the World<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nPoverty Quotes from the Church<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n5 Surprising Ideas about Poverty from Dilexi Te<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_button button_url=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/preferential-option-for-the-poor\/” button_text=”Learn More About the Preferential Option for the Poor” button_alignment=”center” module_class=”hover-btn-border” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”30px” button_text_color=”#054368″ button_border_width=”0px” button_border_radius=”0px” button_font=”|600||on|||||” button_icon=”5||divi||400″ button_on_hover=”off” hover_enabled=”0″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” button_text_color__hover_enabled=”on” button_text_color__hover=”#054368″ sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_button button_url=”\/articles\/” button_text=”Back to Articles” button_alignment=”center” module_class=”hover-btn-border” _builder_version=”4.19.0″ custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”30px” button_text_color=”#054368″ button_border_width=”0px” button_border_radius=”0px” button_font=”|600||on|||||” button_icon=”5||divi||400″ button_on_hover=”off” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” button_text_color__hover_enabled=”on” button_text_color__hover=”#054368″][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Widget of Issues ” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin=”0px|0px|0px|0px||” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” saved_tabs=”all” locked=”off” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_5,3_5,1_5″ use_custom_gutter=”on” module_class=” et_pb_row_fullwidth” _builder_version=”4.13.0″ width=”100%” width_tablet=”100%” width_phone=”” width_last_edited=”on|desktop” max_width=”100%” max_width_tablet=”100%” max_width_phone=”” max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_margin=”0px|0px|0px|0px” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” custom_css_main_element=”width: 100% !important;” make_fullwidth=”on” global_module=”31023″ saved_tabs=”all” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_slider show_image_video_mobile=”on” module_class=”three-principles” _builder_version=”4.19.5″ header_font=”Open Sans|700|||||||” header_text_color=”#084369″ header_font_size=”24px” header_line_height=”1.5em” body_text_color=”#084369″ width=”100%” width_last_edited=”off|desktop” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”|||” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_css_slide_image_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_css_slide_image_phone=”width: auto;||margin: 0 auto !important;”][et_pb_slide heading=”Three Key Principles” button_link=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/catholic-social-teaching-principles\/” image=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Three-Principles.png” use_bg_overlay=”off” use_text_overlay=”off” image_alt=”Three circles containing symbols of the three principles of catholic social teaching: human dignity, subsidiarity, and solidarity.” image_tablet=”” image_phone=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/3-Key-principle-icons-resized.png” image_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.19.5″ header_font=”||||||||” background_color=”#ffffff” button_on_hover=”on” z_index=”0″ overflow-x=”hidden” overflow-y=”hidden” link_option_url=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/catholic-social-teaching-principles\/” custom_css_slide_image=”width: 300px !important;||margin: 0 auto !important;” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_transition=”on”]<\/p>\n
Catholic social teaching is built on three foundational principles –\u00a0<\/strong>Human Dignity<\/strong>,\u00a0Solidarity\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0Subsidiarity.\u00a0<\/strong>Human Dignity, embodied in a correct understanding of the human person, is the greatest. The others flow from it. Good governments and good economic systems find ways of fostering the three principles.<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide heading=”Human Dignity” button_link=”\/human-dignity\/” image=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Human-Dignity.png” use_bg_overlay=”off” use_text_overlay=”off” _builder_version=”4.19.0″ header_font=”||||||||” background_color=”#ffffff” button_on_hover=”on” link_option_url=”\/human-dignity\/” custom_css_slide_image=”width: 200px !important;||margin: 0 auto !important;” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_transition=”on”]<\/p>\n
This means a correct understanding of the human person and of each person\u2019s unique value. All Catholic social teaching flows from this: the inherent dignity of every person that comes from being made in God\u2019s image.\u00a0<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide heading=”Solidarity” button_link=”\/solidarity\/” image=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Solidarity.png” use_bg_overlay=”off” use_text_overlay=”off” _builder_version=”4.19.0″ header_font=”||||||||” background_color=”#ffffff” button_on_hover=”on” link_option_url=”\/solidarity\/” custom_css_slide_image=”width: 200px !important;||margin: 0 auto !important;” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_transition=”on”]<\/p>\n
Solidarity is not \u201ca feeling of vague compassion or shallow distress at the misfortunes of others. It is a firm and persevering determination to commit oneself to the common good\u201d. (Pope St. John Paul II, 38)<\/a> Love of God and love of neighbor are, in fact, linked and form one, single commandment.<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide heading=”Subsidiarity” button_link=”\/subsidiarity\/” image=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Subsidiarity.png” use_bg_overlay=”off” use_text_overlay=”off” _builder_version=”4.19.0″ header_font=”||||||||” background_color=”#ffffff” button_on_hover=”on” link_option_url=”\/subsidiarity\/” custom_css_slide_image=”width: 200px !important;||margin: 0 auto !important;” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_transition=”on”]<\/p>\n
Subsidiarity \u201cis a fundamental principle of social philosophy, fixed and unchangeable, that one should not withdraw from individuals and commit to the community what they can accomplish by their own enterprise and industry. So, too, it is an injustice and at the same time a grave evil and a disturbance of right order to transfer to the larger and higher collectivity functions which can be performed and provided for by the lesser and subordinate bodies\u201d. (Pope Pius XI)<\/a><\/p>\n[\/et_pb_slide][\/et_pb_slider][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” admin_label=”Image & Text” module_id=”newsletter” module_class=”mosaic_width” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ background_color=”#eb7525″ z_index=”950″ display_conditions=”W3siaWQiOiI2MmUwMjk2ZS1lYmY5LTQwYWYtYmM0Mi0zZmEzYzUyNGNlYTEiLCJjb25kaXRpb24iOiJwYWdlIiwiY29uZGl0aW9uU2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiZGlzcGxheVJ1bGUiOiJpc05vdCIsImR5bmFtaWNQb3N0cyI6W3sibGFiZWwiOiJDYXJpdGFzIGluIFZlcml0YXRlIiwidmFsdWUiOiI0NzIxNCJ9XSwicG9zdFR5cGVMYWJlbCI6IlBhZ2VzIiwiYWRtaW5MYWJlbCI6IlBhZ2VzIiwiZW5hYmxlQ29uZGl0aW9uIjoib24ifSwib3BlcmF0b3IiOiJPUiJ9XQ==” custom_margin=”||” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”0px||0px||false|false” animation_direction=”left” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_module=”45073″ saved_tabs=”all” locked=”off” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ make_equal=”on” module_class=”mosaic_width” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ custom_margin=”||” custom_padding=”0px||0px||true|false” animation_style=”fade” animation_delay=”200ms” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ module_class=”ds-vertical-align” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”Playfair Display||||||||” text_text_color=”#ffffff” header_font=”||||||||” header_text_align=”center” header_text_color=”#eb7525″ header_2_text_color=”#ffffff” header_3_text_color=”#ffffff” header_3_font_size=”30px” header_4_font=”Playfair Display|700|||||||” header_4_text_color=”#ffffff” header_4_font_size=”32px” text_orientation=”center” custom_margin=”||” custom_padding=”||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n
What is poverty? What are the types of poverty?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
The Definition of Poverty<\/span><\/h2>\n
The Holy Fathers do much to ensure our understanding of \u201cwho is poor\u201d and “what is poverty” avoid a one-<\/span>dimensional focus.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nPoverty is not just material<\/strong>. It is also moral and spiritual. Poverty is an affront to human dignity, and so the Church has always taught a preferential option for the poor.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nA preferential option for the poor \u201cdemands before all else an appreciation of the immense dignity of the poor\u201d. (Pope Francis, 158)<\/a> <\/span><\/span><\/p>\nAs Pope St. John Paul II taught, \u201ci<\/span>t is well known that there are many other forms of poverty, especially in modern society \u2013 not only\u00a0<\/span>economic but cultural and spiritual poverty<\/strong> as well<\/span>.\u201d\u00a0<\/span>(Centesimus Annus, 57)<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\u201cIt is not possible to understand man o<\/span>n the basis of economics alone\u201d. (Centesimus Annus, 24)<\/em><\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nMaterial Poverty<\/span><\/h2>\n
Material poverty “affects those\u00a0living in conditions opposed to human dignity: those who lack basic rights and needs<\/strong> such as food, water, hygiene, work and the opportunity t<\/span>o develop and grow culturally”. (Pope Francis, 2)<\/a><\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n“What <\/span>are<\/span>\u00a0less than human conditions? The material poverty of those who lack the bare necessities of life, and the moral poverty of those who are crushed under the weight of their own self-l<\/span>ove”<\/span>\u00a0(Pope St. Paul VI, 21)<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nMoral Poverty<\/span><\/h2>\n
Moral <\/span>poverty is much worse because it entails a situation \u201c<\/span>without faith<\/span>, without support, without hope<\/span>:\u201d\u00a0(Message for Lent, 2014, 2)<\/a><\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/p>\nIt “consists in<\/span> slavery to vice and sin<\/strong>“.\u00a0(Pope Francis, 2)<\/a><\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n“Contemporary culture seems to have lost the sense of good and evil”.\u00a0(Pope Benedict XVI, 1)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nSpiritual Poverty<\/span><\/h2>\n
This last type of poverty may be the worst. We experience spiritual poverty “when we turn away from God<\/strong>\u00a0and reject his love. If we think we<\/span>\u00a0don\u2019t need God\u2026<\/span>we are headed for a fall. God alone can truly save and free us.” <\/span>(Pope Francis, 2)<\/a><\/span> <\/span><\/p>\nWhile \u201c<\/span>Man needs to be liberated<\/span>\u00a0from material oppressions\u2026<\/span>more profoundly he must be saved from the evils that afflict the spirit.\u201d\u00a0<\/span>(Pope Benedict XVI)<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Pope Francis brings it home when he teaches, \u201cthere is only one real kind of poverty: not living as children of God and brothers and sisters of Christ.\u201d (2014 Lenten Message, 1)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nAll forms of poverty require and deserve a \u201cpreferential option\u201d.
<\/span><\/p>\nWhat do We do “Practically” about Poverty?<\/span><\/h2>\n
In the US, there are populations that live without water, food, housing, but many more still that lack <\/span><\/strong>\u201c<\/span>the opportunity to develop and grow culturally<\/span><\/strong>\u201d.\u00a0(Pope Francis, 2)<\/a><\/span> They\u00a0<\/span>live with rampant drug use, crime, poor education, collapsed family structures, and sexual exploitation.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n While economic aid is needed, focusing\u00a0<\/span>only\u00a0<\/span>on economic responses (earned income tax credits, minimum wage, etc.) will not cure this ill because<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u201c<\/span>Of\u00a0<\/span>itself<\/span>, an economic system does not possess criteria for correctly distinguishing new and higher forms of satisfying human needs from artificial new needs.\u201d\u00a0(Pope St. John Paul II, 36)<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n“T<\/span>his time\u00a0<\/span>of crisis” is<\/span>\u00a0\u201ca human crisis<\/strong>: it is the human person that is in crisis! Man himself is in danger of being destroyed!\u201d<\/span>\u00a0(Pope Francis)<\/em><\/a><\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/p>\nWe must go deeper because “In the last analysis” our problems “are to be found in a current self-centered and materialistic way of thinking that fails to acknowledge the limitations inherent in every creature”. (Pope Benedict XVI)<\/em><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n\u201cWithout God man neither knows which way to go\u00a0<\/span>nor even understands who he is\u201d!<\/span>\u00a0(Pope Benedict XVI, 78)<\/span><\/a> <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nThe\u00a0\u201cideological rejection of God and an atheism of indifference, oblivious to the Creator and at risk of becoming equally oblivious to human values, constitute some of the<\/strong> chief\u00a0obstacles to development today<\/strong>.\u201d\u00a0(Pope Benedict XVI, 78)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nThe Social Responsibilities of the ‘Haves’ toward the ‘Have Nots’ — in all Three Areas<\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/strong>\u201cIt is\u00a0<\/span>all men who are called to further the development of human society as a whole.<\/span>\u201d<\/span>(Pope St. Paul VI, 17)<\/em><\/a> But, some shoulder greater responsibility: “To whom much is given,<\/strong> much is expected<\/strong>“. (<\/span>Luke 12:48<\/span>) <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n“Those who are more influential, because they have a greater share of goods and common services, should feel responsible for the weaker and be ready to share with them”. (Pope St. John Paul II, 39)<\/em><\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nIt must be reiterated that “the more fortunate should renounce some of their rights so as to place their goods more generously at the service of others”. (Pope Francis, 190)<\/em><\/a><\/span><\/p>\nWhat Exactly is the Preferential Option for the Poor?<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nStructural Poverty and Catholic Social Teaching<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nWho are the Working Poor?<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nHelping the Poor<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nThe Poorest Country in the World<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nPoverty Quotes from the Church<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n5 Surprising Ideas about Poverty from Dilexi Te<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_button button_url=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/preferential-option-for-the-poor\/” button_text=”Learn More About the Preferential Option for the Poor” button_alignment=”center” module_class=”hover-btn-border” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”30px” button_text_color=”#054368″ button_border_width=”0px” button_border_radius=”0px” button_font=”|600||on|||||” button_icon=”5||divi||400″ button_on_hover=”off” hover_enabled=”0″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” button_text_color__hover_enabled=”on” button_text_color__hover=”#054368″ sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_button button_url=”\/articles\/” button_text=”Back to Articles” button_alignment=”center” module_class=”hover-btn-border” _builder_version=”4.19.0″ custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”30px” button_text_color=”#054368″ button_border_width=”0px” button_border_radius=”0px” button_font=”|600||on|||||” button_icon=”5||divi||400″ button_on_hover=”off” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” button_text_color__hover_enabled=”on” button_text_color__hover=”#054368″][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Widget of Issues ” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin=”0px|0px|0px|0px||” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” saved_tabs=”all” locked=”off” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_5,3_5,1_5″ use_custom_gutter=”on” module_class=” et_pb_row_fullwidth” _builder_version=”4.13.0″ width=”100%” width_tablet=”100%” width_phone=”” width_last_edited=”on|desktop” max_width=”100%” max_width_tablet=”100%” max_width_phone=”” max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_margin=”0px|0px|0px|0px” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” custom_css_main_element=”width: 100% !important;” make_fullwidth=”on” global_module=”31023″ saved_tabs=”all” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_slider show_image_video_mobile=”on” module_class=”three-principles” _builder_version=”4.19.5″ header_font=”Open Sans|700|||||||” header_text_color=”#084369″ header_font_size=”24px” header_line_height=”1.5em” body_text_color=”#084369″ width=”100%” width_last_edited=”off|desktop” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”|||” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_css_slide_image_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_css_slide_image_phone=”width: auto;||margin: 0 auto !important;”][et_pb_slide heading=”Three Key Principles” button_link=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/catholic-social-teaching-principles\/” image=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Three-Principles.png” use_bg_overlay=”off” use_text_overlay=”off” image_alt=”Three circles containing symbols of the three principles of catholic social teaching: human dignity, subsidiarity, and solidarity.” image_tablet=”” image_phone=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/3-Key-principle-icons-resized.png” image_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.19.5″ header_font=”||||||||” background_color=”#ffffff” button_on_hover=”on” z_index=”0″ overflow-x=”hidden” overflow-y=”hidden” link_option_url=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/catholic-social-teaching-principles\/” custom_css_slide_image=”width: 300px !important;||margin: 0 auto !important;” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_transition=”on”]<\/p>\n
Catholic social teaching is built on three foundational principles –\u00a0<\/strong>Human Dignity<\/strong>,\u00a0Solidarity\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0Subsidiarity.\u00a0<\/strong>Human Dignity, embodied in a correct understanding of the human person, is the greatest. The others flow from it. Good governments and good economic systems find ways of fostering the three principles.<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide heading=”Human Dignity” button_link=”\/human-dignity\/” image=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Human-Dignity.png” use_bg_overlay=”off” use_text_overlay=”off” _builder_version=”4.19.0″ header_font=”||||||||” background_color=”#ffffff” button_on_hover=”on” link_option_url=”\/human-dignity\/” custom_css_slide_image=”width: 200px !important;||margin: 0 auto !important;” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_transition=”on”]<\/p>\n
This means a correct understanding of the human person and of each person\u2019s unique value. All Catholic social teaching flows from this: the inherent dignity of every person that comes from being made in God\u2019s image.\u00a0<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide heading=”Solidarity” button_link=”\/solidarity\/” image=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Solidarity.png” use_bg_overlay=”off” use_text_overlay=”off” _builder_version=”4.19.0″ header_font=”||||||||” background_color=”#ffffff” button_on_hover=”on” link_option_url=”\/solidarity\/” custom_css_slide_image=”width: 200px !important;||margin: 0 auto !important;” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_transition=”on”]<\/p>\n
Solidarity is not \u201ca feeling of vague compassion or shallow distress at the misfortunes of others. It is a firm and persevering determination to commit oneself to the common good\u201d. (Pope St. John Paul II, 38)<\/a> Love of God and love of neighbor are, in fact, linked and form one, single commandment.<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide heading=”Subsidiarity” button_link=”\/subsidiarity\/” image=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Subsidiarity.png” use_bg_overlay=”off” use_text_overlay=”off” _builder_version=”4.19.0″ header_font=”||||||||” background_color=”#ffffff” button_on_hover=”on” link_option_url=”\/subsidiarity\/” custom_css_slide_image=”width: 200px !important;||margin: 0 auto !important;” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_transition=”on”]<\/p>\n
Subsidiarity \u201cis a fundamental principle of social philosophy, fixed and unchangeable, that one should not withdraw from individuals and commit to the community what they can accomplish by their own enterprise and industry. So, too, it is an injustice and at the same time a grave evil and a disturbance of right order to transfer to the larger and higher collectivity functions which can be performed and provided for by the lesser and subordinate bodies\u201d. (Pope Pius XI)<\/a><\/p>\n[\/et_pb_slide][\/et_pb_slider][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” admin_label=”Image & Text” module_id=”newsletter” module_class=”mosaic_width” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ background_color=”#eb7525″ z_index=”950″ display_conditions=”W3siaWQiOiI2MmUwMjk2ZS1lYmY5LTQwYWYtYmM0Mi0zZmEzYzUyNGNlYTEiLCJjb25kaXRpb24iOiJwYWdlIiwiY29uZGl0aW9uU2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiZGlzcGxheVJ1bGUiOiJpc05vdCIsImR5bmFtaWNQb3N0cyI6W3sibGFiZWwiOiJDYXJpdGFzIGluIFZlcml0YXRlIiwidmFsdWUiOiI0NzIxNCJ9XSwicG9zdFR5cGVMYWJlbCI6IlBhZ2VzIiwiYWRtaW5MYWJlbCI6IlBhZ2VzIiwiZW5hYmxlQ29uZGl0aW9uIjoib24ifSwib3BlcmF0b3IiOiJPUiJ9XQ==” custom_margin=”||” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”0px||0px||false|false” animation_direction=”left” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_module=”45073″ saved_tabs=”all” locked=”off” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ make_equal=”on” module_class=”mosaic_width” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ custom_margin=”||” custom_padding=”0px||0px||true|false” animation_style=”fade” animation_delay=”200ms” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ module_class=”ds-vertical-align” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”Playfair Display||||||||” text_text_color=”#ffffff” header_font=”||||||||” header_text_align=”center” header_text_color=”#eb7525″ header_2_text_color=”#ffffff” header_3_text_color=”#ffffff” header_3_font_size=”30px” header_4_font=”Playfair Display|700|||||||” header_4_text_color=”#ffffff” header_4_font_size=”32px” text_orientation=”center” custom_margin=”||” custom_padding=”||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
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The Holy Fathers do much to ensure our understanding of \u201cwho is poor\u201d and “what is poverty” avoid a one-<\/span>dimensional focus.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
Poverty is not just material<\/strong>. It is also moral and spiritual. Poverty is an affront to human dignity, and so the Church has always taught a preferential option for the poor.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n A preferential option for the poor \u201cdemands before all else an appreciation of the immense dignity of the poor\u201d. (Pope Francis, 158)<\/a> <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n As Pope St. John Paul II taught, \u201ci<\/span>t is well known that there are many other forms of poverty, especially in modern society \u2013 not only\u00a0<\/span>economic but cultural and spiritual poverty<\/strong> as well<\/span>.\u201d\u00a0<\/span>(Centesimus Annus, 57)<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIt is not possible to understand man o<\/span>n the basis of economics alone\u201d. (Centesimus Annus, 24)<\/em><\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n “What <\/span>are<\/span>\u00a0less than human conditions? The material poverty of those who lack the bare necessities of life, and the moral poverty of those who are crushed under the weight of their own self-l<\/span>ove”<\/span>\u00a0(Pope St. Paul VI, 21)<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n It “consists in<\/span> slavery to vice and sin<\/strong>“.\u00a0(Pope Francis, 2)<\/a><\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n “Contemporary culture seems to have lost the sense of good and evil”.\u00a0(Pope Benedict XVI, 1)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n While \u201c<\/span>Man needs to be liberated<\/span>\u00a0from material oppressions\u2026<\/span>more profoundly he must be saved from the evils that afflict the spirit.\u201d\u00a0<\/span>(Pope Benedict XVI)<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Pope Francis brings it home when he teaches, \u201cthere is only one real kind of poverty: not living as children of God and brothers and sisters of Christ.\u201d (2014 Lenten Message, 1)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n All forms of poverty require and deserve a \u201cpreferential option\u201d. While economic aid is needed, focusing\u00a0<\/span>only\u00a0<\/span>on economic responses (earned income tax credits, minimum wage, etc.) will not cure this ill because<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u201c<\/span>Of\u00a0<\/span>itself<\/span>, an economic system does not possess criteria for correctly distinguishing new and higher forms of satisfying human needs from artificial new needs.\u201d\u00a0(Pope St. John Paul II, 36)<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n “T<\/span>his time\u00a0<\/span>of crisis” is<\/span>\u00a0\u201ca human crisis<\/strong>: it is the human person that is in crisis! Man himself is in danger of being destroyed!\u201d<\/span>\u00a0(Pope Francis)<\/em><\/a><\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n We must go deeper because “In the last analysis” our problems “are to be found in a current self-centered and materialistic way of thinking that fails to acknowledge the limitations inherent in every creature”. (Pope Benedict XVI)<\/em><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWithout God man neither knows which way to go\u00a0<\/span>nor even understands who he is\u201d!<\/span>\u00a0(Pope Benedict XVI, 78)<\/span><\/a> <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n The\u00a0\u201cideological rejection of God and an atheism of indifference, oblivious to the Creator and at risk of becoming equally oblivious to human values, constitute some of the<\/strong> chief\u00a0obstacles to development today<\/strong>.\u201d\u00a0(Pope Benedict XVI, 78)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n “Those who are more influential, because they have a greater share of goods and common services, should feel responsible for the weaker and be ready to share with them”. (Pope St. John Paul II, 39)<\/em><\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n It must be reiterated that “the more fortunate should renounce some of their rights so as to place their goods more generously at the service of others”. (Pope Francis, 190)<\/em><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n What Exactly is the Preferential Option for the Poor?<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Structural Poverty and Catholic Social Teaching<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Who are the Working Poor?<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Helping the Poor<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n The Poorest Country in the World<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Poverty Quotes from the Church<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n 5 Surprising Ideas about Poverty from Dilexi Te<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_button button_url=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/preferential-option-for-the-poor\/” button_text=”Learn More About the Preferential Option for the Poor” button_alignment=”center” module_class=”hover-btn-border” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”30px” button_text_color=”#054368″ button_border_width=”0px” button_border_radius=”0px” button_font=”|600||on|||||” button_icon=”5||divi||400″ button_on_hover=”off” hover_enabled=”0″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” button_text_color__hover_enabled=”on” button_text_color__hover=”#054368″ sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_button button_url=”\/articles\/” button_text=”Back to Articles” button_alignment=”center” module_class=”hover-btn-border” _builder_version=”4.19.0″ custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”30px” button_text_color=”#054368″ button_border_width=”0px” button_border_radius=”0px” button_font=”|600||on|||||” button_icon=”5||divi||400″ button_on_hover=”off” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” button_text_color__hover_enabled=”on” button_text_color__hover=”#054368″][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Widget of Issues ” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin=”0px|0px|0px|0px||” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” saved_tabs=”all” locked=”off” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_5,3_5,1_5″ use_custom_gutter=”on” module_class=” et_pb_row_fullwidth” _builder_version=”4.13.0″ width=”100%” width_tablet=”100%” width_phone=”” width_last_edited=”on|desktop” max_width=”100%” max_width_tablet=”100%” max_width_phone=”” max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_margin=”0px|0px|0px|0px” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” custom_css_main_element=”width: 100% !important;” make_fullwidth=”on” global_module=”31023″ saved_tabs=”all” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_slider show_image_video_mobile=”on” module_class=”three-principles” _builder_version=”4.19.5″ header_font=”Open Sans|700|||||||” header_text_color=”#084369″ header_font_size=”24px” header_line_height=”1.5em” body_text_color=”#084369″ width=”100%” width_last_edited=”off|desktop” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”|||” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_css_slide_image_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_css_slide_image_phone=”width: auto;||margin: 0 auto !important;”][et_pb_slide heading=”Three Key Principles” button_link=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/catholic-social-teaching-principles\/” image=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Three-Principles.png” use_bg_overlay=”off” use_text_overlay=”off” image_alt=”Three circles containing symbols of the three principles of catholic social teaching: human dignity, subsidiarity, and solidarity.” image_tablet=”” image_phone=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/3-Key-principle-icons-resized.png” image_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.19.5″ header_font=”||||||||” background_color=”#ffffff” button_on_hover=”on” z_index=”0″ overflow-x=”hidden” overflow-y=”hidden” link_option_url=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/catholic-social-teaching-principles\/” custom_css_slide_image=”width: 300px !important;||margin: 0 auto !important;” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_transition=”on”]<\/p>\n Catholic social teaching is built on three foundational principles –\u00a0<\/strong>Human Dignity<\/strong>,\u00a0Solidarity\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0Subsidiarity.\u00a0<\/strong>Human Dignity, embodied in a correct understanding of the human person, is the greatest. The others flow from it. Good governments and good economic systems find ways of fostering the three principles.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide heading=”Human Dignity” button_link=”\/human-dignity\/” image=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Human-Dignity.png” use_bg_overlay=”off” use_text_overlay=”off” _builder_version=”4.19.0″ header_font=”||||||||” background_color=”#ffffff” button_on_hover=”on” link_option_url=”\/human-dignity\/” custom_css_slide_image=”width: 200px !important;||margin: 0 auto !important;” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_transition=”on”]<\/p>\n This means a correct understanding of the human person and of each person\u2019s unique value. All Catholic social teaching flows from this: the inherent dignity of every person that comes from being made in God\u2019s image.\u00a0<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide heading=”Solidarity” button_link=”\/solidarity\/” image=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Solidarity.png” use_bg_overlay=”off” use_text_overlay=”off” _builder_version=”4.19.0″ header_font=”||||||||” background_color=”#ffffff” button_on_hover=”on” link_option_url=”\/solidarity\/” custom_css_slide_image=”width: 200px !important;||margin: 0 auto !important;” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_transition=”on”]<\/p>\n Solidarity is not \u201ca feeling of vague compassion or shallow distress at the misfortunes of others. It is a firm and persevering determination to commit oneself to the common good\u201d. (Pope St. John Paul II, 38)<\/a> Love of God and love of neighbor are, in fact, linked and form one, single commandment.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide heading=”Subsidiarity” button_link=”\/subsidiarity\/” image=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Subsidiarity.png” use_bg_overlay=”off” use_text_overlay=”off” _builder_version=”4.19.0″ header_font=”||||||||” background_color=”#ffffff” button_on_hover=”on” link_option_url=”\/subsidiarity\/” custom_css_slide_image=”width: 200px !important;||margin: 0 auto !important;” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_transition=”on”]<\/p>\n Subsidiarity \u201cis a fundamental principle of social philosophy, fixed and unchangeable, that one should not withdraw from individuals and commit to the community what they can accomplish by their own enterprise and industry. So, too, it is an injustice and at the same time a grave evil and a disturbance of right order to transfer to the larger and higher collectivity functions which can be performed and provided for by the lesser and subordinate bodies\u201d. (Pope Pius XI)<\/a><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_slide][\/et_pb_slider][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” admin_label=”Image & Text” module_id=”newsletter” module_class=”mosaic_width” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ background_color=”#eb7525″ z_index=”950″ display_conditions=”W3siaWQiOiI2MmUwMjk2ZS1lYmY5LTQwYWYtYmM0Mi0zZmEzYzUyNGNlYTEiLCJjb25kaXRpb24iOiJwYWdlIiwiY29uZGl0aW9uU2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiZGlzcGxheVJ1bGUiOiJpc05vdCIsImR5bmFtaWNQb3N0cyI6W3sibGFiZWwiOiJDYXJpdGFzIGluIFZlcml0YXRlIiwidmFsdWUiOiI0NzIxNCJ9XSwicG9zdFR5cGVMYWJlbCI6IlBhZ2VzIiwiYWRtaW5MYWJlbCI6IlBhZ2VzIiwiZW5hYmxlQ29uZGl0aW9uIjoib24ifSwib3BlcmF0b3IiOiJPUiJ9XQ==” custom_margin=”||” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”0px||0px||false|false” animation_direction=”left” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_module=”45073″ saved_tabs=”all” locked=”off” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ make_equal=”on” module_class=”mosaic_width” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ custom_margin=”||” custom_padding=”0px||0px||true|false” animation_style=”fade” animation_delay=”200ms” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ module_class=”ds-vertical-align” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”Playfair Display||||||||” text_text_color=”#ffffff” header_font=”||||||||” header_text_align=”center” header_text_color=”#eb7525″ header_2_text_color=”#ffffff” header_3_text_color=”#ffffff” header_3_font_size=”30px” header_4_font=”Playfair Display|700|||||||” header_4_text_color=”#ffffff” header_4_font_size=”32px” text_orientation=”center” custom_margin=”||” custom_padding=”||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ module_class=”ds-vertical-align” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_code _builder_version=”4.21.0″ custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]Material Poverty<\/span><\/h2>\n
Material poverty “affects those\u00a0living in conditions opposed to human dignity: those who lack basic rights and needs<\/strong> such as food, water, hygiene, work and the opportunity t<\/span>o develop and grow culturally”. (Pope Francis, 2)<\/a><\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/p>\nMoral Poverty<\/span><\/h2>\n
Moral <\/span>poverty is much worse because it entails a situation \u201c<\/span>without faith<\/span>, without support, without hope<\/span>:\u201d\u00a0(Message for Lent, 2014, 2)<\/a><\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/p>\nSpiritual Poverty<\/span><\/h2>\n
This last type of poverty may be the worst. We experience spiritual poverty “when we turn away from God<\/strong>\u00a0and reject his love. If we think we<\/span>\u00a0don\u2019t need God\u2026<\/span>we are headed for a fall. God alone can truly save and free us.” <\/span>(Pope Francis, 2)<\/a><\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n
<\/span><\/p>\nWhat do We do “Practically” about Poverty?<\/span><\/h2>\n
In the US, there are populations that live without water, food, housing, but many more still that lack <\/span><\/strong>\u201c<\/span>the opportunity to develop and grow culturally<\/span><\/strong>\u201d.\u00a0(Pope Francis, 2)<\/a><\/span> They\u00a0<\/span>live with rampant drug use, crime, poor education, collapsed family structures, and sexual exploitation.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nThe Social Responsibilities of the ‘Haves’ toward the ‘Have Nots’ — in all Three Areas<\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/strong>\u201cIt is\u00a0<\/span>all men who are called to further the development of human society as a whole.<\/span>\u201d<\/span>(Pope St. Paul VI, 17)<\/em><\/a> But, some shoulder greater responsibility: “To whom much is given,<\/strong> much is expected<\/strong>“. (<\/span>Luke 12:48<\/span>) <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nSign Up For Our Newsletter:<\/h4>\n