Poverty

The poor will always be with you, Jesus said — but that doesn’t mean Christians have ever figured out how to be with the poor.

Pope Francis has emphasized a vision of a “Church that is poor and for the poor.” But growing economic inequality continues to spread across the globe. This book takes a fresh look at the role of churches, and individual Christians, in relating to poverty and the poor among them. A strong focus is placed on the biblical and theological roots of the Church’s commitment to care for the poor.

At times praised as a virtue and blessed as a condition, poverty easily confuses us, and we are often left doing little to nothing to make a difference with and for the poor. As a social evil and a burden, poverty has elicited many kinds of reactions among the followers of Christ. It is time for Christians to figure out what to do about it.

Contributors include Pope Francis, Pheme Perkins, Sandra M. Schneider, and Thomas Massaro SJ.

“This book provides a wonderful, provocative theological framework for those of us who minister among our most vulnerable sisters and brothers. For anyone who regularly looks into the eyes of suffering, this book offers context, hope, and inspiration.”

—DONNA MARKHAM, OP, President and CEO, Catholic Charities USA “The authors challenge us to see, hear, and think differently about the meanings of poverty, and to love passionately those whom Jesus loved—the poor.”
—PROFESSOR M. SHAWN COPELAND, author of Enfleshing Freedom: Body, Race, and Being

“As a good Franciscan, Ken Himes knows poverty from the inside and has taught well his student Conor Kelly. Here they draw together rich resources that call all of us to the poverty we need, and to resist needless poverty. This book is an ideal resource for conversation.”
—THOMAS H. GROOME, author of What Makes Us Catholic, Sharing Faith, and many other books

Published in cooperation with the Church in the 21st Century Center, Boston College