NZ bishops urge care for the poor in local contexts
New Zealand’s Catholic bishops are inviting people to consider how they might continue the ancient Christian practice of care for the poor in their own contexts.
In a pastoral letter marking the World Day of the Poor on November 16, the bishops noted that in his recent apostolic exhortation, Dilexi Te, Pope Leo XIV made it clear that the preferential option for the poor is essential to “the burning heart of the Church’s mission”.
“He reminds us that we are always at risk of replacing the truth of the Gospel with the so-called wisdom of this world – one that can sanctify greed and excess”, the bishops stated in the letter.
The bishops added that they “stand with Pope Leo in encouraging everyone to consider how we can each make care for the poor an integral part of our faith lived with authenticity and zeal”.
Pope Leo referred to the long and deep history of Christian charity and invited people to regain that spirit of generosity, and particularly the practice of almsgiving, the bishops noted.
“In our own national context,” the pastoral letter stated, “the Church has three primary organisations that strive to be the loving and compassionate face of Jesus to the poor in their everyday work,” – Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand, MissioNZ and The Society of St Vincent de Paul.
While mindful of the many demands of modern life and the challenges of our current economy, the bishops issued an “invitation for each person to consider how their own context can be shaped by a spirit of Christian charity”.
The bishops suggested several ways in which people might be able to care for the poor – supporting a Vinnies group, joining or promoting a Catholic group that cares for the poor, donating an hour of waged income to support the Church’s charitable works, and giving items to a local foodbank.
“We encourage you to think of ways in which your giving can have a true sense of sacrifice; that you are forgoing time or money that could be used in other ways, to care for our brothers and sisters in need,” the bishops said.