Want to fight poverty? Ask the why

Pope Francis is certainly a “Pope of the poor”. Is it enough to only “associate” with the poor? The Catholic Church has in the past called for radical changes in the structures disfavouring the poor and the marginalised.

In the apostolic letter, octogesima adveniens: call to action, Pope Paul IV in 1971 says “it is not enough to recall principles, state intentions, point out injustice and utter prophetic denunciations...these lack real weight unless they are accompanied by personal responsibility and effect to action” in fighting social ills.