Poverty
"If someone who has the riches of this world sees his brother in need and closes his heart to him, how does the love of God abide in him?" (1 Jn 3:17). It is well known how strong were the words used by the Fathers of the Church to describe the proper attitude of persons who possess anything towards persons in need. To quote Saint Ambrose: "You are not making a gift of your possessions to the poor person. You are handing over to him what is his. For what has been given in common for the use of all, you have arrogated to yourself. The world is given to all, and not only to the rich."
A STATEMENT ON POVERTY IN NEW JERSEY BY THE CATHOLIC BISHOPS OF NEW JERSEY
Una Declaración Sobre La Pobreza en Nueva Jersey por Los Obispos Católicos de Nueva Jersey
REMARKS BY ARCHBISHOP JOHN J. MYERS ON THE POVERTY STATEMENT
REMARKS BY BISHOP EDGAR DA CUNHA ON THE POVERTY STATEMENT
On the Development of Peoples, #23, Encyclical Letter of Pope Paul VI promulgated on March 26, 1967
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.
On Social Concern (Donders), #42, Encyclical Letter of the Pope John Paul II issued on December 30, 1987
