Option For the Poor

-- for St. Vincent's Parish Bulletin by: Dennis Wells

One of the key components of modern Catholic social teaching is the Preferential Option for the Poor and Vulnerable. This principle was articulated by the bishops of Latin America and was introduced into Catholic social thought by Paul VI in Octogesima Adveniens. Paul VI wrote, “the more fortunate should renounce some of their rights so as to place their goods more generously at the service of others” (par. 23).

In our article on Rights and Responsibilities we looked at the notion of a “social mortgage” and the principle of the universal destination of goods. The preferential option for the poor and vulnerable is an extension of these ideas. The worldwide synod of bishops in 1971 issued Justice in the World and further promoted Paul VI’s continual instruction that the way to peace is through justice. Citing the gospel call to bring the Good News to the poor, both Paul VI and the bishops insisted that working for justice is an obligation that every believer must undertake.

In Populorum Progressio, Paul VI looks at the abuses of unfettered capitalism and the injustice that is the result of a primary importance placed on profits over human dignity. He states in rather passionate terms, “one cannot condemn such abuses too strongly” (par. 26). He also rejects “trickle-down” economic policies – in which the poor theoretically benefit from the economic scraps that fall from the tables of the rich and powerful – as inherently wrong because it denies the rights and dignity of the poor and vulnerable who deserve more than a second-hand economy. In 1986, the U.S. bishops published, Economic Justice for All, and listed 6 moral principles to be followed (par. 13 – 18):

  • That economic policies be measured by the extent to which they uphold the dignity of the human person
  • That human dignity can be realized and protected only in community
  • All people have a right to participate in the economic life of society
  • That all members of society have an obligation to the poor and vulnerable
  • That human rights are the minimum conditions for life in community
  • That society has a duty to enhance human dignity and protect human rights
Based on these principles, Economic Justice for All also included a list of policy recommendations ranging from tax code issues to foreign trade. Representatives from the American business community gathered to tell the bishops to stick to tending their flocks and leave the economy to Wall Street. The U.S. Bishops have responded by continuing to call for the end to many institutionalized forms of economic and class oppression and for all people of faith to participate actively in the shaping of public policy that looks out for the poor and vulnerable first and foremost.

 


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Index, Catholic Social Teaching: Overview; 1)Human life & dignity, 2)Call to family, community/ participation, 3)Rights/Responsibilities, 4)Option for the poor/vulnerable, 5)Dignity of human labor, 6)Solidarity, 7)Stewardship of Creation; Summary: Catholic Social Teaching

Look here for more links on Catholic Social Teaching

Parish Mission Statement

We, the people of St. Vincent's Parish in the Archdiocese of St. Louis, Missouri, are committed to following Christ, evangelizer of the poor. We do this through:
- Worship and continued spiritual formation for both laity and clergy
- Serving the poor and oppressed
- Preaching the Gospel by word and action in an ecumenical spirit