Poverty Church Teaching

Church Teaching

One sixth of our children are growing up poor in the richest nation on earth. The blessings and burdens of American life are not being shared fairly.

U.S. Conference of Catholics Bishops (USCCB)


The needs of the poor take priority over the desires of the rich; the rights of workers over the maximization of profits; the preservation of the environment over uncontrolled industrial expansion; the production to meet social needs over production for military purposes.

U.S Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB)


In imitation of our master, we Christians are called to confront the poverty of our brothers and sisters; to touch it to make it our own and to take practical steps to alleviate it.

Pope Francis


I ask you to ensure humanity is served by wealth and not ruled by it.

Pope Francis


The promise was that when the glass was full, it would overflow, benefiting the poor. But what happens instead, is the when the glass gets full, it magically get bigger – nothing ever comes out for the poor.

Pope Francis


Some people continue to defend trickle-down theories which assume that economic growth, encouraged by a free market, will inevitably succeed in bringing about greater justice and inclusiveness in the world. This opinion, which has never been confirmed by the facts, expresses a crude and naïve trust in the goodness of those wielding economic power and in the sacralized workings of the prevailing economic system. Meanwhile the excluded are still waiting.

Pope Francis


These days there is a lot of poverty in the world, and that’s a scandal when we have so many riches and resources to give to everyone. We all have to think about how we can become a little poorer.

Pope Francis


None of us can think we are exempt from concerns for the poor and for social justice.

Pope Francis


Do not fly to Rome to congratulate me but rather to donate to the poor the money you have raised for your airline ticket.

Pope Francis


The fight against poverty and hunger must be fought constantly and on many fronts, especially in its causes.

Pope Francis


In imitation of our master, we Christians are called to confront the poverty of our brothers and sisters; to touch it to make it our own and to take practical steps to alleviate it.

Pope Francis


These days there is a lot of poverty in the world, and that’s a scandal when we have so many riches and resources to give to everyone. We all have to think about how we can become a little poorer.

Pope Francis


The superfluous wealth of rich countries should be placed at the service of poor nations.  The rule, which up to now held good for the benefit of those nearest to us, must today be applied to all the needy of this world.  Besides, the rich will be the first to benefit as a result.  Otherwise their continued greed will certainly call down upon them the judgment of God and the wrath of the poor, with consequences no one can foretell.

The Catholic Bishops of the World at the Second Vatican Council


Persons in extreme need are entitled to take what they need from the riches of others.

The Catholic Bishops of the World at the Second Vatican Council


As long as glaring economic and social imbalances persist, peace is impossible.

Pope John XXIII


Poverty is a plague against which humanity must fight without cease.

Pope Benedict XVI


Scripture

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 hungry,

Sheltering the oppressed and the homeless;

Clothing the naked when you see them,

and not turning your back on your own.

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.

Isaiah 58: 6-7, 9b-10


The ‘Reign of God’ appears more than 100 times in the Gospels.

Click on the links below for more information on Church teaching on poverty:

Archdiocese of St. Paul/Minneapolis