<\/p>\n
by CAPP-USA<\/span><\/h5>\n <\/p>\n
\n![\"Who](\"https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/A-woman-working-as-a-food-service-worker.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Who are the working poor? Is it just economics?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Working Poor – Definition<\/span><\/h2>\n
The working poor are those who are employed but whose income falls<\/strong> beneath the poverty line<\/strong> due to low-income jobs and low familial household income.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nIn the United States this represents 3.8 percent of people in the labor force and is made up of predominantly part-time workers and women, Hispanics and Blacks, those without a high school diploma and Individuals employed in service occupations. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nThe Working Poor – Economics<\/span><\/h2>\n
These 6.1 million Americans struggle<\/strong> to lift themselves and their families out of material poverty.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nGlobally, Pope Francis said material poverty “affects those living in conditions opposed to human dignity: those who lack basic rights and needs such as food, water, hygiene, work and the opportunity to develop and grow culturally”. (Pope Francis, 2)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nThe Working Poor in the United States<\/span><\/h2>\n
Visit any impoverished town or inner city and it will be clear that material lack<\/strong> is not the key problem<\/strong>. Many who live in the bottom economic quintile do not lack food, water, etc. In fact, they possess many of the consumer goods deemed important by the culture.<\/span><\/p>\nCatholic social teaching challenges us to think more deeply about who is poor – those who lack “the opportunity to develop and grow culturally”. (Pope Francis, 2)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nA Deeper Issue<\/span><\/h2>\n
The Church warns us to avoid a one-dimensional definition of the poor as \u201c[i]t is not possible to understand man on the basis of economics alone\u201d. (Centesimus Annus, 24)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nAs Pope St. John Paul II taught, \u201cit is well known that there are many other forms of poverty<\/strong>, especially in modern society \u2013 not only economic but cultural and spiritual poverty as well<\/strong>.\u201d<\/span> (Centesimus Annus, 57)<\/a> <\/span><\/p>\nIn the U.S., the poor live with rampant drug use, crime, poor education, collapsed family structures, and sexual exploitation. Their lives, in too many cases, tend to be \u201csolitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short\u201d.\u00a0(Thomas Hobbes,\u00a0Leviathan, 1651)<\/span><\/p>\nFocusing only on economic responses (earned income tax credits, minimum wage, etc.) will not cure this ill because, \u201cOf itself, an economic system does not possess criteria for correctly distinguishing new and higher forms of satisfying human needs from artificial new needs.\u201d (Pope St. John Paul, 36)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nThe Working Poor – Moral Poverty<\/span><\/h2>\n
The Church defines a pernicious moral poverty which “consists in slavery to vice and sin<\/strong>“. (Pope Francis, 2)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n“Contemporary culture seems to have lost the sense of good and evil”. (Pope Benedict XVI, 1)<\/a> and it is here that the poor and rich suffer poverty together.<\/span><\/p>\nWhether by choice or the “system”, these morally poor have forgotten that “Every human life is called to some task by God. Endowed with intellect and free will, each man is responsible for his self-fulfillment\u2026he is the chief architect\u00a0of his own success or failure.” (Pope St. Paul VI, 15)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nSpiritual Poverty<\/span><\/h2>\n
Another poverty shared by the economically rich and poor is spiritual poverty which happens “when we turn away from God<\/strong> and reject his love.” <\/span>(Pope Francis, 2)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n“If we think we don\u2019t need God\u2026we are headed for a fall. God alone can truly save and free us.” (Pope Francis, 2)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nPope Francis, in fact, radically 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><\/p>\nThis may be the most widespread poverty in America.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\nWhat about the \u201cSystem\u201d?<\/span><\/h2>\n
What is the source of this crisis? Our problems originate \u201cin a profound human crisis: the denial of the primacy of the human person!\u201d (Pope Francis, 55)<\/a> <\/span><\/p>\nBecause \u201cWithout God man neither knows which way to go nor even understands who he is\u201d! (Pope Benedict XVI, 78)<\/a>
<\/span><\/p>\nWho Can We Do?<\/span><\/h2>\n
\u201cIt is\u00a0<\/strong>all men who are called<\/strong> to further the development of human society as a whole.\u201d (Pope St. Paul VI, 17)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nThis is true especially if one\u2019s poverty (whether material, moral\/cultural or spiritual) rises to the level of \u201cdestitution\u201d where one is \u201cwithout faith, without support, without hope\u201d. (Pope Francis, 2)<\/a> In these cases a person may be unable to become the \u201cchief architect of his own success or failure.\u201d (Pope St. Paul VI, 15)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nSo, \u201cEveryone<\/strong> must lend a ready hand <\/strong>to this task, particularly those who can do most by reason of their education, their office, or their authority.\u201d\u00a0<\/span>(Pope St. Paul VI, 32)<\/a><\/p>\nAnd, \u201c[t]hose 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\u201d.<\/span> (Pope St. John Paul II, 39)<\/a><\/p>\nWhat Exactly is the Preferential Option for the Poor?<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nWhat is Poverty?<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nStructural Poverty and Catholic Social Teaching<\/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=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”10px||||false|false” 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” 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_row _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”10px||||false|false” 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
Sign Up For Our Newsletter:<\/h4>\n
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<\/p>\n
Who are the working poor? Is it just economics?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Working Poor – Definition<\/span><\/h2>\n
The working poor are those who are employed but whose income falls<\/strong> beneath the poverty line<\/strong> due to low-income jobs and low familial household income.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nIn the United States this represents 3.8 percent of people in the labor force and is made up of predominantly part-time workers and women, Hispanics and Blacks, those without a high school diploma and Individuals employed in service occupations. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nThe Working Poor – Economics<\/span><\/h2>\n
These 6.1 million Americans struggle<\/strong> to lift themselves and their families out of material poverty.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nGlobally, Pope Francis said material poverty “affects those living in conditions opposed to human dignity: those who lack basic rights and needs such as food, water, hygiene, work and the opportunity to develop and grow culturally”. (Pope Francis, 2)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nThe Working Poor in the United States<\/span><\/h2>\n
Visit any impoverished town or inner city and it will be clear that material lack<\/strong> is not the key problem<\/strong>. Many who live in the bottom economic quintile do not lack food, water, etc. In fact, they possess many of the consumer goods deemed important by the culture.<\/span><\/p>\nCatholic social teaching challenges us to think more deeply about who is poor – those who lack “the opportunity to develop and grow culturally”. (Pope Francis, 2)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nA Deeper Issue<\/span><\/h2>\n
The Church warns us to avoid a one-dimensional definition of the poor as \u201c[i]t is not possible to understand man on the basis of economics alone\u201d. (Centesimus Annus, 24)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nAs Pope St. John Paul II taught, \u201cit is well known that there are many other forms of poverty<\/strong>, especially in modern society \u2013 not only economic but cultural and spiritual poverty as well<\/strong>.\u201d<\/span> (Centesimus Annus, 57)<\/a> <\/span><\/p>\nIn the U.S., the poor live with rampant drug use, crime, poor education, collapsed family structures, and sexual exploitation. Their lives, in too many cases, tend to be \u201csolitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short\u201d.\u00a0(Thomas Hobbes,\u00a0Leviathan, 1651)<\/span><\/p>\nFocusing only on economic responses (earned income tax credits, minimum wage, etc.) will not cure this ill because, \u201cOf itself, an economic system does not possess criteria for correctly distinguishing new and higher forms of satisfying human needs from artificial new needs.\u201d (Pope St. John Paul, 36)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nThe Working Poor – Moral Poverty<\/span><\/h2>\n
The Church defines a pernicious moral poverty which “consists in slavery to vice and sin<\/strong>“. (Pope Francis, 2)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n“Contemporary culture seems to have lost the sense of good and evil”. (Pope Benedict XVI, 1)<\/a> and it is here that the poor and rich suffer poverty together.<\/span><\/p>\nWhether by choice or the “system”, these morally poor have forgotten that “Every human life is called to some task by God. Endowed with intellect and free will, each man is responsible for his self-fulfillment\u2026he is the chief architect\u00a0of his own success or failure.” (Pope St. Paul VI, 15)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nSpiritual Poverty<\/span><\/h2>\n
Another poverty shared by the economically rich and poor is spiritual poverty which happens “when we turn away from God<\/strong> and reject his love.” <\/span>(Pope Francis, 2)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n“If we think we don\u2019t need God\u2026we are headed for a fall. God alone can truly save and free us.” (Pope Francis, 2)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nPope Francis, in fact, radically 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><\/p>\nThis may be the most widespread poverty in America.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\nWhat about the \u201cSystem\u201d?<\/span><\/h2>\n
What is the source of this crisis? Our problems originate \u201cin a profound human crisis: the denial of the primacy of the human person!\u201d (Pope Francis, 55)<\/a> <\/span><\/p>\nBecause \u201cWithout God man neither knows which way to go nor even understands who he is\u201d! (Pope Benedict XVI, 78)<\/a>
<\/span><\/p>\nWho Can We Do?<\/span><\/h2>\n
\u201cIt is\u00a0<\/strong>all men who are called<\/strong> to further the development of human society as a whole.\u201d (Pope St. Paul VI, 17)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nThis is true especially if one\u2019s poverty (whether material, moral\/cultural or spiritual) rises to the level of \u201cdestitution\u201d where one is \u201cwithout faith, without support, without hope\u201d. (Pope Francis, 2)<\/a> In these cases a person may be unable to become the \u201cchief architect of his own success or failure.\u201d (Pope St. Paul VI, 15)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nSo, \u201cEveryone<\/strong> must lend a ready hand <\/strong>to this task, particularly those who can do most by reason of their education, their office, or their authority.\u201d\u00a0<\/span>(Pope St. Paul VI, 32)<\/a><\/p>\nAnd, \u201c[t]hose 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\u201d.<\/span> (Pope St. John Paul II, 39)<\/a><\/p>\nWhat Exactly is the Preferential Option for the Poor?<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nWhat is Poverty?<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nStructural Poverty and Catholic Social Teaching<\/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=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”10px||||false|false” 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” 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_row _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”10px||||false|false” 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=”{}” 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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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[\/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=”{}”]
The working poor are those who are employed but whose income falls<\/strong> beneath the poverty line<\/strong> due to low-income jobs and low familial household income.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
In the United States this represents 3.8 percent of people in the labor force and is made up of predominantly part-time workers and women, Hispanics and Blacks, those without a high school diploma and Individuals employed in service occupations. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Globally, Pope Francis said material poverty “affects those living in conditions opposed to human dignity: those who lack basic rights and needs such as food, water, hygiene, work and the opportunity to develop and grow culturally”. (Pope Francis, 2)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Catholic social teaching challenges us to think more deeply about who is poor – those who lack “the opportunity to develop and grow culturally”. (Pope Francis, 2)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n As Pope St. John Paul II taught, \u201cit is well known that there are many other forms of poverty<\/strong>, especially in modern society \u2013 not only economic but cultural and spiritual poverty as well<\/strong>.\u201d<\/span> (Centesimus Annus, 57)<\/a> <\/span><\/p>\n In the U.S., the poor live with rampant drug use, crime, poor education, collapsed family structures, and sexual exploitation. Their lives, in too many cases, tend to be \u201csolitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short\u201d.\u00a0(Thomas Hobbes,\u00a0Leviathan, 1651)<\/span><\/p>\n Focusing only on economic responses (earned income tax credits, minimum wage, etc.) will not cure this ill because, \u201cOf itself, an economic system does not possess criteria for correctly distinguishing new and higher forms of satisfying human needs from artificial new needs.\u201d (Pope St. John Paul, 36)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n “Contemporary culture seems to have lost the sense of good and evil”. (Pope Benedict XVI, 1)<\/a> and it is here that the poor and rich suffer poverty together.<\/span><\/p>\n Whether by choice or the “system”, these morally poor have forgotten that “Every human life is called to some task by God. Endowed with intellect and free will, each man is responsible for his self-fulfillment\u2026he is the chief architect\u00a0of his own success or failure.” (Pope St. Paul VI, 15)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n “If we think we don\u2019t need God\u2026we are headed for a fall. God alone can truly save and free us.” (Pope Francis, 2)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Pope Francis, in fact, radically 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><\/p>\n This may be the most widespread poverty in America.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Because \u201cWithout God man neither knows which way to go nor even understands who he is\u201d! (Pope Benedict XVI, 78)<\/a> This is true especially if one\u2019s poverty (whether material, moral\/cultural or spiritual) rises to the level of \u201cdestitution\u201d where one is \u201cwithout faith, without support, without hope\u201d. (Pope Francis, 2)<\/a> In these cases a person may be unable to become the \u201cchief architect of his own success or failure.\u201d (Pope St. Paul VI, 15)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n So, \u201cEveryone<\/strong> must lend a ready hand <\/strong>to this task, particularly those who can do most by reason of their education, their office, or their authority.\u201d\u00a0<\/span>(Pope St. Paul VI, 32)<\/a><\/p>\n And, \u201c[t]hose 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\u201d.<\/span> (Pope St. John Paul II, 39)<\/a><\/p>\n What Exactly is the Preferential Option for the Poor?<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n What is Poverty?<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Structural Poverty and Catholic Social Teaching<\/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=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”10px||||false|false” 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” 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_row _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”10px||||false|false” 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=”{}”]The Working Poor – Economics<\/span><\/h2>\n
These 6.1 million Americans struggle<\/strong> to lift themselves and their families out of material poverty.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nThe Working Poor in the United States<\/span><\/h2>\n
Visit any impoverished town or inner city and it will be clear that material lack<\/strong> is not the key problem<\/strong>. Many who live in the bottom economic quintile do not lack food, water, etc. In fact, they possess many of the consumer goods deemed important by the culture.<\/span><\/p>\nA Deeper Issue<\/span><\/h2>\n
The Church warns us to avoid a one-dimensional definition of the poor as \u201c[i]t is not possible to understand man on the basis of economics alone\u201d. (Centesimus Annus, 24)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nThe Working Poor – Moral Poverty<\/span><\/h2>\n
The Church defines a pernicious moral poverty which “consists in slavery to vice and sin<\/strong>“. (Pope Francis, 2)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nSpiritual Poverty<\/span><\/h2>\n
Another poverty shared by the economically rich and poor is spiritual poverty which happens “when we turn away from God<\/strong> and reject his love.” <\/span>(Pope Francis, 2)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nWhat about the \u201cSystem\u201d?<\/span><\/h2>\n
What is the source of this crisis? Our problems originate \u201cin a profound human crisis: the denial of the primacy of the human person!\u201d (Pope Francis, 55)<\/a> <\/span><\/p>\n
<\/span><\/p>\nWho Can We Do?<\/span><\/h2>\n
\u201cIt is\u00a0<\/strong>all men who are called<\/strong> to further the development of human society as a whole.\u201d (Pope St. Paul VI, 17)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nSign Up For Our Newsletter:<\/h4>\n