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.

Aporophobia (from Greek ἄπορος, poor, and φόβος, fear), a term coined by Spanish philosopher Adela Cortina in the 1990s, refers to rejection, fear, or aversion towards poor or disadvantaged people. Although this concept has gained recognition in recent years, it reflects a deeply ingrained social attitude that reveals much about the values and structures of contemporary societies. In this essay, we will address aporophobia from four perspectives: social, moral, Christian, and Vincentian, the latter understood as the spirituality inspired by Saint Vincent de Paul and his followers. The aim is to understand how each perspective not only conceptualizes aporophobia but also offers potential pathways for overcoming it.

Aporophobia from a Social Perspective

From a social perspective, aporophobia manifests as a rejection of those who lack economic resources or material possessions. This attitude is not only a problem of perception but also a structural challenge, as it is rooted in dynamics of social exclusion that perpetuate inequality and marginalization of the most vulnerable. Modern societies, despite proclaiming themselves as democratic and inclusive, often exhibit a clear tendency to marginalize those without access to material goods, resources, or social capital. This issue is exacerbated by a political and social discourse that tends to render poor individuals invisible, labeling them as “responsible for their own misery” and thus less deserving of compassion or support.

Western democracies, which pride themselves on being inclusive, often follow an exclusionary pattern that marginalizes the poor while simultaneously fostering policies that perpetuate this exclusion. This attitude is frequently justified through negative stereotypes and prejudices that stigmatize the poor, making them victims of hate crimes and social invisibility.

In this context, aporophobia becomes an obstacle not only to social cohesion but also to the development of inclusive and equitable policies. Therefore, a structural change is needed that not only guarantees economic and social rights to the most vulnerable but also promotes a culture of solidarity where all citizens are treated with dignity and respect, regardless of their economic status.

Aporophobia from a Moral Perspective

Morally, aporophobia represents a serious ethical deficit in our societies. It is a rejection of others based solely on their lack of material resources, which contradicts fundamental principles of justice, equality, and human dignity. Applied ethics, as a branch of moral philosophy, must take responsibility for addressing poverty not only from the standpoint of charity but also as a matter of justice.

According to Adela Cortina, aporophobia is not simply a matter of indifference but a genuine contempt that deprives people of their dignity, their rights as citizens, and opportunities for equality. This contempt implies that democratic societies that tolerate or even foster aporophobia are failing in their fundamental commitment to promoting justice and equality for all their citizens.

Moreover, from a moral perspective, aporophobia is framed within a “discourse of hate” directed at those who do not belong to the dominant groups in society. This discourse is based on the mistaken belief that poor people do not deserve the same opportunities as others, which justifies their social exclusion and marginalization. Therefore, civic ethics should not only point out this problem but also provide tools to overcome this attitude through education in tolerance, the promotion of social justice, and the active recognition of the dignity of each individual.

Aporophobia from a Christian Perspective

From a Christian perspective, aporophobia is entirely incompatible with the message of love and compassion that Jesus preached in the Gospel. Christian doctrine teaches that all human beings, regardless of their social or economic status, are created in the image and likeness of God and therefore possess intrinsic dignity that must be respected. Rejecting the poor contradicts this fundamental principle and goes against the commandments to love one’s neighbor and to do good to all, especially to those most in need.

In his encyclical Fratelli Tutti, Pope Francis condemns aporophobia and calls on Christians to reject any form of discrimination or contempt towards the poor. He maintains that a true Christian community should be marked by solidarity, hospitality, and selfless service to others, particularly the most vulnerable. Aporophobia, in this sense, becomes a form of social sin, as it perpetuates injustice and inequality and is a denial of the universal fraternity to which all Christians are called.

Christianity also emphasizes the importance of social justice as a complement to charity. While charity refers to acts of giving and sharing with those in need, social justice involves changing the structures and systems that cause poverty and marginalization. The Second Vatican Council, through the document Apostolicam Auctositatem, stresses that the eradication of poverty should not be seen solely as an act of charity but as an obligation of justice. As the document states, “the demands of justice be satisfied lest the giving of what is due in justice be represented as the offering of a charitable gift” (#8).

Aporophobia from a Vincentian Perspective

From the Vincentian spirituality inspired by the life and work of Saint Vincent de Paul, aporophobia is not only a moral error but also a spiritual challenge. Saint Vincent de Paul dedicated his life to serving the poorest and most marginalized in society, founding various charitable organizations to this end. For Vincent and his followers, the poor should not only be the objects of charity but also of justice. Vincentian spirituality emphasizes that in each poor person, we see the face of Christ, and therefore, rejecting the poor is rejecting Christ himself.

The Vincentian family, composed of various groups and congregations that follow Saint Vincent’s charism, has tirelessly worked in the fight against poverty and social exclusion. This approach is not limited to providing material assistance but also aims to empower the poor, defending their rights and promoting their integration into society. Aporophobia, from this perspective, is seen as a serious obstacle to the building of a just and fraternal society, which is the ultimate goal of the Vincentian mission.

The Vincentian vision also involves a deep commitment to social transformation. For Saint Vincent de Paul, charity was not sufficient if it was not accompanied by justice. In his work, he advocated for the creation of social structures that would allow all human beings to live with dignity. Aporophobia, understood as the rejection of the poor, is thus seen as a symptom of a society that has lost its sense of justice and Christian solidarity.

— – —

In a few words, Aporophobia represents an ethical, social, and spiritual challenge that must be addressed from multiple perspectives. From a social standpoint, it requires structural change to combat exclusion and promote inclusion and justice. Morally, it involves transforming the values and attitudes that currently justify contempt for the poor. From a Christian perspective, it is a denial of the commandment to love one’s neighbor and a lack of coherence with the message of Jesus. Finally, from the Vincentian vision, it is a call to renew the commitment to the poorest, not only through charity but also through the promotion of justice and social transformation.

Therefore, the eradication of aporophobia requires a collective effort by individuals, communities, and entire societies to build a world where everyone is valued and treated with the dignity they deserve as children of God.