<\/p>\n
by CAPP-USA<\/span><\/h5>\n <\/p>\n
\n![\"Structural](\"https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/New-York-homeless-sad-poor-city-urban-poverty-street-dignity-man-black-solidarity.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Structural poverty and Catholic social teaching<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
What is Structural Poverty?<\/span><\/h2>\n
Structural poverty is poverty caused by circumstances beyond one\u2019s control<\/strong>\u2026when people do not have the means to enable themselves to take a place in society in an effective and dignified way – through no fault of their own.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nThese may include the mentally ill, the sick, the laid off, etc. or, in lesser developed countries, those living in failed states. Structural poverty may even be caused by circumstances of culture, childhood, even racism.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nDoes the \u201cSystem\u201d\u00a0work against some?<\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/span>Structural poverty is particularly egregious for \u201cthose living in conditions opposed to human dignity: those who lack basic rights and needs<\/strong> such as food, water, hygiene, work and the opportunity to develop and grow culturally\u201d. (Pope Francis, 2)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nHere, poverty becomes a<\/strong> self-fulfilling loop<\/strong> where one is “without faith, without support, without hope” (Pope Francis, 2)<\/a> unable to become the \u201cchief architect of his own success or failure.\u201d (Pope St. Paul VI, 15)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nIndeed, \u201c[i]n many countries globalization has meant a hastened deterioration of\u2026cultural roots and the invasion of ways of thinking and acting proper to other cultures which are economically advanced but ethically debilitated.\u201d (Pope Francis, 62)<\/a> <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nA Solution \u2013 Catholic Social Teaching<\/span><\/h2>\n
\u201cThe sharing of goods and resources, from which authentic development proceeds, is not guaranteed by merely technical progress and relationships of utility, but by the potential of love that overcomes evil with good\u201d. (Pope Benedict XVI, 7)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n“The risk for our time is that the de facto interdependence of people and nations is not matched by ethical interaction of consciences and minds that would give rise to truly human development.” (Pope Benedict XVI, 7)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nCatholic social teaching \u201coffers a powerful way of thinking about what the common good requires, and how structures<\/span>\u00a0in society can promote or undermine human well-being<\/strong>\u201d. (Vincent Cardinal Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nWho is Responsible?<\/span><\/h2>\n
\u201cIt is all men who are called to further the development of human society as a whole.\u201d (Pope St. Paul VI, 17)<\/a> <\/span><\/p>\nLet\u2019s examine how, and who, can begin to help overcome instances of structural poverty.<\/span><\/p>\nThe Responsibility of the Rich<\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/span>While “[e]veryone must lend a ready hand to this task,”\u00a0<\/span>(Pope St. Paul VI, 32)<\/a><\/span><\/span>, s<\/strong><\/span>ome<\/span><\/strong> shoulder a greater responsibility to correct structural poverty<\/strong>, \u201cparticularly those who can do most by reason of their education, their office, or their authority.\u201d (Pope St. Paul VI, 32)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\u201cThe richer class has many ways of shielding itself, and stands less in need of help from the State; whereas the mass of the poor have no resources of their own to fall back on\u201d.<\/span>\u00a0(Pope Leo XIII, 37)<\/a><\/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)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nSo, \u201c[c]onsiderations of justice and equity\u00a0can at times\u00a0demand that those in power pay more attention to the weaker members of society, since these are at a disadvantage when it comes to defending their own rights and asserting their legitimate interests.\u201d\u00a0 (Pope St. John XXIII, 56)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nThe Responsibility of the Poor<\/span><\/h2>\n
The poor have responsibilities too.<\/span><\/p>\n“<\/span>E<\/span>very human life is called to some task by God.\u00a0<\/span><\/strong>Endowed with intellect and free will, each man is responsible for his self-fulfillment<\/span>\u2026<\/span>he is the chief architect<\/span> of his own success or failure.”\u00a0<\/span><\/em>(Pope St. Paul VI, 15)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\u201cThose who are weaker<\/strong>\u2026should not adopt a purely passive attitude<\/strong> or one that is destructive of the social fabric, but, while claiming their legitimate rights, should do what they can for the good of all.\u201d\u00a0(Pope St. John Paul II, 39)<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\u201cThe pursuit of life\u2019s necessities is quite legitimate; hence we are duty-bound to do the work which enables us to obtain them: ‘If anyone is unwilling to work, do not let him eat.’\u201d<\/span>\u00a0(Pope St. Paul VI, 18)<\/a> <\/span><\/p>\n“Utilizing only his talent and willpower, each man can grow in humanity, enhance his personal worth, and perfect himself.”\u00a0<\/span>(Pope St. Paul VI, 15)<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nMy Responsibility<\/span><\/h2>\n
While solutions and actions will differ by the type of poverty: material, moral or spiritual and level of analysis (local, state, national and international) addressing structural poverty will take personal conversion, courage, and structural change.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nThis “involves, above all, a moral value which men and women of faith recognize as<\/strong> a<\/strong>\u00a0demand of God\u2019s will<\/strong>, the only true foundation of an absolutely binding ethic.\u201d\u00a0(Pope St. John Paul II, 38)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\u201cW<\/span>e need to broaden our per<\/span>spective<\/span>\u2026We need<\/strong>\u00a0to grow in a solidarity<\/strong>\u00a0which \u2018would allow all peoples to become the artisans of their destiny\u2019, since \u2018every person is called to self-fulfillment.\u2019\u201d<\/span>\u00a0(Pope Francis, 190)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nUltimately, it is Spiritual<\/span><\/h2>\n
“The greatest service to development, then,\u00a0is a Christian humanism\u2026Openness to God\u00a0makes us open towards our brothers\u00a0and\u00a0sisters and towards an\u00a0understanding of life as a joyful task to be accomplished\u00a0in a spirit of solidarity.\u201d\u00a0(Pope Benedict XVI, 78)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nWhat Exactly is the Preferential Option for the Poor?<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nWhat is Poverty?<\/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=”4.24.3″ _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” 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=”4.24.3″ _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” 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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” 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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” 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” custom_padding_tablet=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”0px||0px||false|false”][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
Structural poverty and Catholic social teaching<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
What is Structural Poverty?<\/span><\/h2>\n
Structural poverty is poverty caused by circumstances beyond one\u2019s control<\/strong>\u2026when people do not have the means to enable themselves to take a place in society in an effective and dignified way – through no fault of their own.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nThese may include the mentally ill, the sick, the laid off, etc. or, in lesser developed countries, those living in failed states. Structural poverty may even be caused by circumstances of culture, childhood, even racism.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nDoes the \u201cSystem\u201d\u00a0work against some?<\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/span>Structural poverty is particularly egregious for \u201cthose living in conditions opposed to human dignity: those who lack basic rights and needs<\/strong> such as food, water, hygiene, work and the opportunity to develop and grow culturally\u201d. (Pope Francis, 2)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nHere, poverty becomes a<\/strong> self-fulfilling loop<\/strong> where one is “without faith, without support, without hope” (Pope Francis, 2)<\/a> unable to become the \u201cchief architect of his own success or failure.\u201d (Pope St. Paul VI, 15)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nIndeed, \u201c[i]n many countries globalization has meant a hastened deterioration of\u2026cultural roots and the invasion of ways of thinking and acting proper to other cultures which are economically advanced but ethically debilitated.\u201d (Pope Francis, 62)<\/a> <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nA Solution \u2013 Catholic Social Teaching<\/span><\/h2>\n
\u201cThe sharing of goods and resources, from which authentic development proceeds, is not guaranteed by merely technical progress and relationships of utility, but by the potential of love that overcomes evil with good\u201d. (Pope Benedict XVI, 7)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n“The risk for our time is that the de facto interdependence of people and nations is not matched by ethical interaction of consciences and minds that would give rise to truly human development.” (Pope Benedict XVI, 7)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nCatholic social teaching \u201coffers a powerful way of thinking about what the common good requires, and how structures<\/span>\u00a0in society can promote or undermine human well-being<\/strong>\u201d. (Vincent Cardinal Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nWho is Responsible?<\/span><\/h2>\n
\u201cIt is all men who are called to further the development of human society as a whole.\u201d (Pope St. Paul VI, 17)<\/a> <\/span><\/p>\nLet\u2019s examine how, and who, can begin to help overcome instances of structural poverty.<\/span><\/p>\nThe Responsibility of the Rich<\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/span>While “[e]veryone must lend a ready hand to this task,”\u00a0<\/span>(Pope St. Paul VI, 32)<\/a><\/span><\/span>, s<\/strong><\/span>ome<\/span><\/strong> shoulder a greater responsibility to correct structural poverty<\/strong>, \u201cparticularly those who can do most by reason of their education, their office, or their authority.\u201d (Pope St. Paul VI, 32)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\u201cThe richer class has many ways of shielding itself, and stands less in need of help from the State; whereas the mass of the poor have no resources of their own to fall back on\u201d.<\/span>\u00a0(Pope Leo XIII, 37)<\/a><\/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)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nSo, \u201c[c]onsiderations of justice and equity\u00a0can at times\u00a0demand that those in power pay more attention to the weaker members of society, since these are at a disadvantage when it comes to defending their own rights and asserting their legitimate interests.\u201d\u00a0 (Pope St. John XXIII, 56)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nThe Responsibility of the Poor<\/span><\/h2>\n
The poor have responsibilities too.<\/span><\/p>\n“<\/span>E<\/span>very human life is called to some task by God.\u00a0<\/span><\/strong>Endowed with intellect and free will, each man is responsible for his self-fulfillment<\/span>\u2026<\/span>he is the chief architect<\/span> of his own success or failure.”\u00a0<\/span><\/em>(Pope St. Paul VI, 15)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\u201cThose who are weaker<\/strong>\u2026should not adopt a purely passive attitude<\/strong> or one that is destructive of the social fabric, but, while claiming their legitimate rights, should do what they can for the good of all.\u201d\u00a0(Pope St. John Paul II, 39)<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\u201cThe pursuit of life\u2019s necessities is quite legitimate; hence we are duty-bound to do the work which enables us to obtain them: ‘If anyone is unwilling to work, do not let him eat.’\u201d<\/span>\u00a0(Pope St. Paul VI, 18)<\/a> <\/span><\/p>\n“Utilizing only his talent and willpower, each man can grow in humanity, enhance his personal worth, and perfect himself.”\u00a0<\/span>(Pope St. Paul VI, 15)<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nMy Responsibility<\/span><\/h2>\n
While solutions and actions will differ by the type of poverty: material, moral or spiritual and level of analysis (local, state, national and international) addressing structural poverty will take personal conversion, courage, and structural change.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nThis “involves, above all, a moral value which men and women of faith recognize as<\/strong> a<\/strong>\u00a0demand of God\u2019s will<\/strong>, the only true foundation of an absolutely binding ethic.\u201d\u00a0(Pope St. John Paul II, 38)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\u201cW<\/span>e need to broaden our per<\/span>spective<\/span>\u2026We need<\/strong>\u00a0to grow in a solidarity<\/strong>\u00a0which \u2018would allow all peoples to become the artisans of their destiny\u2019, since \u2018every person is called to self-fulfillment.\u2019\u201d<\/span>\u00a0(Pope Francis, 190)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nUltimately, it is Spiritual<\/span><\/h2>\n
“The greatest service to development, then,\u00a0is a Christian humanism\u2026Openness to God\u00a0makes us open towards our brothers\u00a0and\u00a0sisters and towards an\u00a0understanding of life as a joyful task to be accomplished\u00a0in a spirit of solidarity.\u201d\u00a0(Pope Benedict XVI, 78)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nWhat Exactly is the Preferential Option for the Poor?<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nWhat is Poverty?<\/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=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”10px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” 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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” 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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” 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” custom_padding_tablet=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”0px||0px||false|false”][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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Structural poverty is poverty caused by circumstances beyond one\u2019s control<\/strong>\u2026when people do not have the means to enable themselves to take a place in society in an effective and dignified way – through no fault of their own.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
These may include the mentally ill, the sick, the laid off, etc. or, in lesser developed countries, those living in failed states. Structural poverty may even be caused by circumstances of culture, childhood, even racism.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Here, poverty becomes a<\/strong> self-fulfilling loop<\/strong> where one is “without faith, without support, without hope” (Pope Francis, 2)<\/a> unable to become the \u201cchief architect of his own success or failure.\u201d (Pope St. Paul VI, 15)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Indeed, \u201c[i]n many countries globalization has meant a hastened deterioration of\u2026cultural roots and the invasion of ways of thinking and acting proper to other cultures which are economically advanced but ethically debilitated.\u201d (Pope Francis, 62)<\/a> <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n “The risk for our time is that the de facto interdependence of people and nations is not matched by ethical interaction of consciences and minds that would give rise to truly human development.” (Pope Benedict XVI, 7)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Catholic social teaching \u201coffers a powerful way of thinking about what the common good requires, and how structures<\/span>\u00a0in society can promote or undermine human well-being<\/strong>\u201d. (Vincent Cardinal Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Let\u2019s examine how, and who, can begin to help overcome instances of structural poverty.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThe richer class has many ways of shielding itself, and stands less in need of help from the State; whereas the mass of the poor have no resources of their own to fall back on\u201d.<\/span>\u00a0(Pope Leo XIII, 37)<\/a><\/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)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n So, \u201c[c]onsiderations of justice and equity\u00a0can at times\u00a0demand that those in power pay more attention to the weaker members of society, since these are at a disadvantage when it comes to defending their own rights and asserting their legitimate interests.\u201d\u00a0 (Pope St. John XXIII, 56)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n “<\/span>E<\/span>very human life is called to some task by God.\u00a0<\/span><\/strong>Endowed with intellect and free will, each man is responsible for his self-fulfillment<\/span>\u2026<\/span>he is the chief architect<\/span> of his own success or failure.”\u00a0<\/span><\/em>(Pope St. Paul VI, 15)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThose who are weaker<\/strong>\u2026should not adopt a purely passive attitude<\/strong> or one that is destructive of the social fabric, but, while claiming their legitimate rights, should do what they can for the good of all.\u201d\u00a0(Pope St. John Paul II, 39)<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThe pursuit of life\u2019s necessities is quite legitimate; hence we are duty-bound to do the work which enables us to obtain them: ‘If anyone is unwilling to work, do not let him eat.’\u201d<\/span>\u00a0(Pope St. Paul VI, 18)<\/a> <\/span><\/p>\n “Utilizing only his talent and willpower, each man can grow in humanity, enhance his personal worth, and perfect himself.”\u00a0<\/span>(Pope St. Paul VI, 15)<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n This “involves, above all, a moral value which men and women of faith recognize as<\/strong> a<\/strong>\u00a0demand of God\u2019s will<\/strong>, the only true foundation of an absolutely binding ethic.\u201d\u00a0(Pope St. John Paul II, 38)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \u201cW<\/span>e need to broaden our per<\/span>spective<\/span>\u2026We need<\/strong>\u00a0to grow in a solidarity<\/strong>\u00a0which \u2018would allow all peoples to become the artisans of their destiny\u2019, since \u2018every person is called to self-fulfillment.\u2019\u201d<\/span>\u00a0(Pope Francis, 190)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n What Exactly is the Preferential Option for the Poor?<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n What is Poverty?<\/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=”4.24.3″ _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” 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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” 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” custom_padding_tablet=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”0px||0px||false|false”][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=”{}”]Does the \u201cSystem\u201d\u00a0work against some?<\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/span>Structural poverty is particularly egregious for \u201cthose living in conditions opposed to human dignity: those who lack basic rights and needs<\/strong> such as food, water, hygiene, work and the opportunity to develop and grow culturally\u201d. (Pope Francis, 2)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nA Solution \u2013 Catholic Social Teaching<\/span><\/h2>\n
\u201cThe sharing of goods and resources, from which authentic development proceeds, is not guaranteed by merely technical progress and relationships of utility, but by the potential of love that overcomes evil with good\u201d. (Pope Benedict XVI, 7)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nWho is Responsible?<\/span><\/h2>\n
\u201cIt is all men who are called to further the development of human society as a whole.\u201d (Pope St. Paul VI, 17)<\/a> <\/span><\/p>\nThe Responsibility of the Rich<\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/span>While “[e]veryone must lend a ready hand to this task,”\u00a0<\/span>(Pope St. Paul VI, 32)<\/a><\/span><\/span>, s<\/strong><\/span>ome<\/span><\/strong> shoulder a greater responsibility to correct structural poverty<\/strong>, \u201cparticularly those who can do most by reason of their education, their office, or their authority.\u201d (Pope St. Paul VI, 32)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nThe Responsibility of the Poor<\/span><\/h2>\n
The poor have responsibilities too.<\/span><\/p>\nMy Responsibility<\/span><\/h2>\n
While solutions and actions will differ by the type of poverty: material, moral or spiritual and level of analysis (local, state, national and international) addressing structural poverty will take personal conversion, courage, and structural change.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nUltimately, it is Spiritual<\/span><\/h2>\n
“The greatest service to development, then,\u00a0is a Christian humanism\u2026Openness to God\u00a0makes us open towards our brothers\u00a0and\u00a0sisters and towards an\u00a0understanding of life as a joyful task to be accomplished\u00a0in a spirit of solidarity.\u201d\u00a0(Pope Benedict XVI, 78)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nSign Up For Our Newsletter:<\/h4>\n