Catholic Social Teaching (CST) and Poverty
Blurb
<p>Consideration of poverty in Catholic social teaching begins with the foundation that each person is both sacred and social, created in God’s image, and destined to share in the goods of the earth as part of a community of justice and mercy. From the time of the Deuteronomic laws, the covenant, and the prophets, there was special mention of the poor and their privileged place in<br />
the community. The Hebrew word for the poor is the <strong>anawim</strong>, the little ones, originally those “overwhelmed by want.”<sup>1</sup> </p>
the community. The Hebrew word for the poor is the <strong>anawim</strong>, the little ones, originally those “overwhelmed by want.”<sup>1</sup> </p>
by the Rev. Fred Kammer, S.J.
Catholic Social Teaching (CST) and Social Structures
Blurb
<p> In 1986, the U.S. bishops wrote:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Whether the problem is preventing war and building peace or addressing the needs of the poor, Catholic teaching emphasizes not only the individual conscience, but also the political, legal and economic structures through which policy is determined and issues are adjudicated.<sup>1</sup></p>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<p>Whether the problem is preventing war and building peace or addressing the needs of the poor, Catholic teaching emphasizes not only the individual conscience, but also the political, legal and economic structures through which policy is determined and issues are adjudicated.<sup>1</sup></p>
</blockquote>
by the Rev. Fred Kammer, S.J.
In 1986, the U.S. bishops wrote:
Whether the problem is preventing war and building peace or addressing the needs of the poor, Catholic teaching emphasizes not only the individual conscience, but also the political, legal and economic structures through which policy is determined and issues are adjudicated.1
Economics or morality?
Blurb
<p><strong>When a budget is not an economics exercise<br />
</strong></p>
<p>The drama of competing federal budgets and the ensuing game of “chicken” about who will shut down government is red meat for the pundits, the media, and ambitious politicians. But it ignores one basic truth: government budgets are not about economics; they are about fundamental morality. Over and over again Catholic teaching stresses the responsibility of government for the local, national, and global common good and the duty to protect and lift up the poor and vulnerable. Such moral duties and responsibilities are now on the line in Washington.</p>
</strong></p>
<p>The drama of competing federal budgets and the ensuing game of “chicken” about who will shut down government is red meat for the pundits, the media, and ambitious politicians. But it ignores one basic truth: government budgets are not about economics; they are about fundamental morality. Over and over again Catholic teaching stresses the responsibility of government for the local, national, and global common good and the duty to protect and lift up the poor and vulnerable. Such moral duties and responsibilities are now on the line in Washington.</p>
When a budget is not an economics exercise
By Fr. Fred Kammer, SJ
Religious leaders call Mississippians to end predatory lending
Blurb
<p><strong>Pending bill continues debt trap for low-income borrowers</strong><strong><br />
</strong></p>
<p>On January 11, 2011, a coalition of Mississippi’s religious and social justice leaders called Mississippians and the state legislature to end predatory payday lending. As the Mississippi House Banking Committee unanimously passed a bill that would extend predatory lending in Mississippi, Bishop Hope Morgan of the United Methodist Church reflected: “I come to bring good news to the poor—572 percent is not good news to the poor. The poor are being entrapped. We are better people than this.</p>
</strong></p>
<p>On January 11, 2011, a coalition of Mississippi’s religious and social justice leaders called Mississippians and the state legislature to end predatory payday lending. As the Mississippi House Banking Committee unanimously passed a bill that would extend predatory lending in Mississippi, Bishop Hope Morgan of the United Methodist Church reflected: “I come to bring good news to the poor—572 percent is not good news to the poor. The poor are being entrapped. We are better people than this.</p>
Pending bill continues debt trap for low-income borrowers
By Alex Mikulich, Ph.D.