Catholic Social Teaching Principles December, 1999

The Principle of Preference for the Poor

Background/Supporting Quotations:

from Matthew 25:35-46

"…for I was hungry and you gave me to eat; I was thirsty and you gave me to drink; I was a stranger and you took me in; naked and you covered me; sick and you visited me; I was in prison and you came to me. Then the just will answer him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry, and feed you; or thirsty, and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger, and take you in; or naked, and clothe you? Or when did we see you sick, or in prison, and come to you?' And answering, the king will say to them, 'Amen I say to you, as long as you did it for one of these, the least of my brethren, you did it for me."

"Then he will say to those on his left hand, 'Depart from me, accursed ones, into the everlasting fire which was prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry, and you did not give me to eat; I was thirsty and you gave me no drink; I was a stranger and you did not take me in; naked, and you did not clothe me; sick, and in prison, and you did not visit me.' Then they also will answer and say, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister to you?' Then he will answer them saying, 'Amen I say to you, as long as you did not do it for one of these least ones, you did not do it for me.' And these will go into everlasting punishment, but the just into everlasting life."

from Isaiah 58:6-10

"This rather, is the fasting that I wish: releasing those bound unjustly, untying the thongs of the yoke; setting free the oppressed, breaking every yoke; sharing your bread with the hungry, sheltering the oppressed and the homeless; clothing the naked when you see them, and not turning your back on your own.

"Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your wound shall quickly be healed; your vindication shall go before you, and the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer, you shall cry for help, and he will say: Here I am! If you remove from your midst oppression, false accusation and malicious speech; if you bestow your bread on the hungry and satisfy the afflicted; then light shall rise for you in the darkness, and the gloom shall become for you like midday…"

from Sharing Catholic Social Teaching: Challenges and Directions (1998)

"In a society marred by deepening divisions between rich and poor, our tradition recalls the story of the last judgement (Matthew 25:31-46) and instructs us to put the needs of the poor and vulnerable first." (p. 5)

from Catechism of the Catholic Church (1992)

"The Church’s love for the poor …is a part of her constant tradition." This love is inspired by the Gospel of the Beatitudes, of the poverty of Jesus, and of his concern for the poor. Love for the poor is even one of the motives for the duty of working so as to "be able to give to those in need." It extends not only to material poverty but also to the many forms of cultural and religious poverty. (#2444)

"The goods of creation are destined for the entire human race. The right to private property does not abolish the universal destination of goods." (#2452)

"… The decisive point of the social question is that goods created by God for everyone should in fact reach everyone in accordance with justice and with the help of charity." (#2459)

"Giving alms to the poor is a witness to fraternal charity; it is also a work of justice pleasing to God." (#2461)

From The Catholic Northwest Progress, publication of the Archdiocese of Seattle, 12/2/99, article by Rev. William Byron, SJ, "The Principle of Preferential Protection of the Poor and Vulnerable."

From the papal encyclical, Solicitudo Rei Socialis (On Social Concern), Pope John Paul II, 1987

"A consistent theme of Catholic social teaching is the option or love of preference for the poor. Today, this preference has to be expressed in worldwide dimensions, embracing the immense numbers of the hungry, the needy, the homeless, those without medical care, and those without hope." (#42)