What is the 'Preferential Option for the Poor' in Catholic doctrine?
The preferential option for the poor is a distinctive Christian commitment rooted in the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, who became poor for our sakes and declared that whatever we do to the least of His brothers, we do to Him (Matthew 25:40). It inspires the Church's constant love and priority for the destitute, the sick, refugees, the unborn, and the marginalized. This love moves Christians both toward direct corporal works of mercy and toward reforming unjust social structures that oppress the vulnerable.
Sources
- Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraphs 2443-2449
- Matthew 25:31-46
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