Fight Against Poverty Unites Christian Left and Right

Fight Against Poverty Unites Christian Left and Right | Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good.

I was personally saddened when the Economic Stimulus debate and subsequent vote ended up bolstering the ongoing partisanship that has defined Washington all these years. Amidst this reality I continue to work and pray for a collaborative ecumenical social agenda that can move this country and the world forward in the midst of this ongoing economic, social and environmental crisis.

For us in the Catholic Community the Catholic Alliance for the Common Good is a movement that aims to build this model. Below I will again past their wonderful video where they share their consistent position on all  Catholic social issues.

Their collaboration with Christian Churches Together (CCT) in addressing the issues of poverty also demonstrate this move by the Christian community from addressing only liberal or conservative issues to just being Christian.

Poverty is a very central Christian issue. The concern for the poor is found throughout the Hebrew and Christian scriptures. Even when St. Paul and St. James argued about the direction of the early church with regards to the Gentiles they both conceded on importance of “remembering the poor,” (Gal. 2:10)

Poverty was also an issue of preeminent importance to St. Paul of the Cross. He reminded the members of his community to always look to the poor, “For the name of Jesus is written on their foreheads.”

Today the Passionist community continue to serve this mandate and to promote both our services to the poor and to advocate on their behalf. In doing this we not only fulfill the vision of our founder but a basic tenet of the Catholic faith.

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. – Sollicitudo Rei Socialis by Pope John Paul II, 1987