As many New Jerseyans began preparation for Thanksgiving, the Catholic bishops of the state called for urgent action to address poverty that ensnares 800,000 who live in the third most affluent state in the nation.
At a Nov. 21 press conference at the archdiocesan center in Newark, the bishops released a statement that “we ignore the poor at our moral and societal peril.”
Archbishop John J. Myers of Newark, speaking on behalf of the bishops of the state, noted that “We must come together to work to reduce poverty. Past failure and difficult economic times are not an acceptable reason to fail to act on behalf of the poor.”
The bishops support an “Agenda for Action” to convene four task forces that will focus on what they say are critical issues affecting poverty in the state: the weakening of family life, failing education systems, unemployment and low-paying jobs. Patrick Brannigan, executive director of the New Jersey State Catholic Conference, said that the task forces are charged to come up with recommendations that can be translated into statewide legislation. On Nov. 30 religious leaders including Catholics, Protestants, Jews, Hindus and Muslims, will be at the state house to raise awareness about the need to address poverty in the state.
Bishop Edgar M. daCunha, auxiliary of Newark and chair of the public policy Committee of the New Jersey State Catholic Conference, said that the Church’s work against poverty stands on two feet. One foot is charity, “our duty to provide direct social service to those in immediate need of life’s basic necessities.” The other, he said, is justice, in which Catholics “strive to correct the long-standing inequities in our society.”
Marlene Lao-Collins, director of Catholic Charities for the Diocese of Trenton, said at the press conference that the bishops’ statement is an effort to “create a will” among Catholics and “send a message” to political leaders that even during a time of reduced budgets and general economic distress poverty concerns cannot be ignored.
Allan Daul, executive director of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Newark, said that the Church brings a unique dimension to the political gridlock and discord that afflicts Washington and Trenton. “If there is any institution that can speak to Republican and Democrats it is the Catholic Church,” he said. Catholic teaching promotes both a “preferential option for the poor,” in which legislation is guided on the principle of what impact it has on poor people, and the principle of subsidiarity, which encourages social action at the level closest to those who need help. The two principles can appeal across the political spectrum, he said.