John Paul II – Champion of the Poor

“For three decades, a central theme of his (John Paul II)  papal leadership was that the moral measure of our lives, nation and world is how we treat the poor and weak, the vulnerable and the voiceless.”  Thus concludes an artcle on the website of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops.

In Centesimus Annus,he criticized the socialist system as a form of state capitalism and called for a society that “demands that the market be appropriately controlled by the forces of society and by the state so as to guarantee that the basic needs of the whole of society are satisfied” (CA #35).

In the face of economic globalization, he passionately called for the “globalization of solidarity,” insisting that believers look at globalization from the bottom up, how it touches the poor, families, vulnerable workers and immigrants.

He was a decisive force for global debt relief and a persistent advocate of development assistance. His words still haunt us, “How can it be that even today there are still people dying of hunger? Condemned to illiteracy? Lacking the most basic medical care? Without a roof over their heads? . . . Christians must learn to make their act of faith in Christ by discerning His voice in the cry for help that rises from this world of poverty” (Novo Millennio Ineunte #50).

Reflection:

• Is there a moral compass needed in this time of economic concerns?
• What would John Paul II offer as a compass?