As members of the Vincentian Family we have become accustomed to using terms such as Advocacy, Aporophobia, Homelessness, Collaboration, Systemic Change, etc., to describe either situations that we encounter in our work/ministry or actions that we carry out. To deepen our understanding of these concepts from the perspective of our charism, we have developed this series of posts, entitled a “Vincentian Dictionary”, with the aim of offering each week an explanation of the various words/phrases from a social, moral, Christian and Vincentian perspective. Inspired by the charism of St. Vincent de Paul, we hope to deepen our understanding and reflect on service, social justice and love of neighbor. At the end of each article you will find some ideas for personal reflection and/or group dialogue.

Follow the complete thread of this Vincentian dictionary at this link.

Advocacy plays a pivotal role in social change, justice, and the moral responsibility of individuals and organizations alike. Whether through political action, grassroots organizing, or simply raising awareness, advocacy is about standing up for those who cannot stand up for themselves. From a Christian Catholic perspective, advocacy finds its roots in the teachings of Christ, who preached about serving the least among us. The Vincentian perspective, derived from the Christian spirituality of St. Vincent de Paul, emphasizes action in response to the needs of the poor with humility, simplicity, and love. This essay examines advocacy through these four lenses: social, moral, Christian Catholic, and Vincentian, with special emphasis on the Catholic and Vincentian aspects.

Social Advocacy

At its core, social advocacy involves efforts aimed at achieving a more just and equitable society. It encompasses movements for human rights, poverty reduction, racial equality, gender equality, and access to education and healthcare, among others. Social advocates focus on the structures and systems that perpetuate inequality and injustice, working toward reform through policy changes, awareness campaigns, and direct action.

A key element of social advocacy is the concept of “voice”—ensuring that marginalized or oppressed groups are heard. For example, the Borgen Project emphasizes advocacy for the global poor, arguing that political influence and direct advocacy are essential to addressing extreme poverty on a global scale. Advocacy organizations bring the voices of the underserved to the attention of lawmakers, businesses, and the broader public.

Effective social advocacy involves strategic action, including lobbying, forming alliances, organizing protests, and engaging in public education campaigns. It also means holding those in power accountable for their decisions and ensuring that policy decisions consider the needs and rights of the most vulnerable.

Moral Advocacy

Moral advocacy stems from a sense of duty toward the well-being of others, rooted in values of justice, fairness, and equality. This form of advocacy extends beyond legal and political obligations, touching upon ethical imperatives that guide human behavior.

From a moral perspective, advocacy requires an understanding that individuals are inherently valuable and deserving of dignity. The moral advocate acts from a deep sense of responsibility toward others, particularly those who are suffering. This type of advocacy is often motivated by a desire to address the root causes of social problems, such as poverty, inequality, and discrimination.

Moral advocacy frequently aligns with social justice movements, where the goal is not only to correct immediate injustices but also to dismantle the systemic barriers that perpetuate inequality. It involves an ongoing commitment to stand alongside the marginalized, not as their saviors but as their allies in a shared struggle for justice.

Christian Catholic Perspective on Advocacy

The Christian Catholic tradition sees advocacy as deeply rooted in the Gospel’s call to love one’s neighbor and serve those in need. Jesus Christ, throughout his ministry, was an advocate for the marginalized—tax collectors, prostitutes, lepers, and the poor. He consistently sought out the lost and the oppressed, calling for a radical transformation of society through love, mercy, and justice.

In Catholic Social Teaching (CST), there is a strong emphasis on the dignity of the human person, the common good, solidarity, and the preferential option for the poor. These principles guide the Catholic approach to advocacy, which focuses on both immediate aid to the poor and long-term systemic change to address the causes of poverty and injustice.

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) highlights the importance of advocating for the poor and vulnerable as a vital part of the Church’s mission. CRS emphasizes that advocacy is not just about charity but about justice, working to change the systems that trap people in cycles of poverty. The Church teaches that every person has a right to the basic necessities of life, including food, shelter, healthcare, and education. As such, Catholics are called to advocate for policies that ensure these rights are upheld.

The Second Vatican Council reaffirmed the Church’s commitment to social justice and advocacy, stating that the Church “is at once a sign and a safeguard of the transcendence of the human person” (Gaudium et Spes, 76). This means that Catholics are called to be actively involved in the world, promoting human dignity and justice in every sphere of life.

Vincentian Perspective on Advocacy

The Vincentian approach to advocacy is deeply intertwined with the spirituality of St. Vincent de Paul and his followers, who are committed to serving the poor with humility, simplicity, and love. For Vincentians, advocacy is not an abstract concept; it is a lived reality that stems from a profound commitment to the Gospel and a deep sense of responsibility toward those in need.

St. Vincent de Paul believed that charity without justice is incomplete. He was a tireless advocate for the poor, organizing resources, people, and institutions to respond to the needs of the most vulnerable. His work was not only about providing immediate relief but also about addressing the structural causes of poverty and advocating for systemic change.

Vincentian advocacy involves recognizing the dignity of every person, particularly the poor, and working to ensure that their voices are heard in society. Vincentians understand that poverty is not just an economic condition but also a result of social, political, and cultural systems that marginalize certain groups. As a result, Vincentian advocacy seeks to address both the immediate needs of the poor and the root causes of their poverty.

One key Vincentian principle is the concept of “seeing” the poor. As noted by Edward R. Udovic in Our Good Will and Honest Efforts: Vincentian Perspectives on Poverty Reduction, St. Vincent was known for his ability to truly “see” the poor, not just as abstract figures or social problems but as individuals made in the image of God. This act of “seeing” leads to a deeper understanding of the realities of poverty and compels Vincentians to advocate on behalf of those who are often invisible to the rest of society.

Vincentian advocacy is also grounded in prayer and discernment. As Udovic notes, for St. Vincent, “what must be done” was always a matter of discerning God’s will through prayer and reflection on the needs of the poor. This spiritual foundation distinguishes Vincentian advocacy from purely secular forms of social justice work, as it is motivated not only by a desire for justice but also by a desire to fulfill God’s will.

Catholic and Vincentian Advocacy in Action

Catholic and Vincentian advocacy often takes the form of organized efforts to address systemic injustices that contribute to poverty and inequality. For example, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul engages in both direct service to the poor and advocacy efforts aimed at addressing the structural causes of poverty, such as affordable housing, healthcare access, and fair wages.

In recent years, Vincentian advocacy has expanded to include global efforts to address homelessness, human trafficking, and environmental degradation. The Famvin Homeless Alliance is one such example, working to develop homelessness prevention policies and programs on a global scale.

Pope Francis has also been a strong advocate for the poor and marginalized, calling for a “Church that is poor and for the poor” (Evangelii Gaudium, 198). His papacy has been marked by a commitment to social justice, environmental stewardship, and advocacy for migrants and refugees. In his encyclical Laudato Si’, Pope Francis calls for an integrated approach to advocacy that recognizes the interconnectedness of social, economic, and environmental issues.

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In a few words, Advocacy, from social, moral, Christian Catholic, and Vincentian perspectives, is an essential aspect of the pursuit of justice in our world. While social advocacy focuses on systemic change and giving voice to the marginalized, moral advocacy is grounded in ethical imperatives that call us to care for our neighbors. The Christian Catholic tradition offers a rich framework for advocacy, rooted in the teachings of Jesus and the Church’s commitment to human dignity, the common good, and the preferential option for the poor. Finally, the Vincentian perspective provides a unique spiritual dimension to advocacy, emphasizing humility, simplicity, and prayerful discernment in the service of the poor.

In a world where poverty and injustice continue to persist, advocacy remains a critical tool for transforming societies and addressing the root causes of suffering. Whether through direct service, policy change, or public awareness campaigns, advocacy allows us to stand in solidarity with the poor and work toward a more just and equitable world.