Preferential Option for the Poor Flashcards

Flashcards reviewing key concepts from the lecture notes on the preferential option for the poor.

Second Vatican Council (John XXIII)

Convened in the early 1960s and emphasized addressing poverty as a central theme for the Church.

Medellin, Colombia (1968)

Focused explicitly on the pervasive poverty in the region and its underlying causes.

Poverty (real poverty)

Identified as a systemic issue rooted in social and economic structures, not merely a lack of material resources.

Spiritual poverty

A deliberate reorientation of our lives back to God, recognizing our dependence on divine grace and mercy.

Commitment to the poor against poverty

Concrete actions and advocacy to uplift the marginalized and challenge unjust systems.

Puebla, Mexico (1979)

Further emphasized the preferential option for the poor, calling for a greater alignment of the Church’s mission with the needs and aspirations of the impoverished.

Poverty (material poverty)

Acknowledges the significance of addressing the tangible needs of those lacking basic necessities such as food, shelter, and healthcare.

Preference (spiritual poverty)

Recognizes the importance of spiritual enrichment and empowerment for the poor, fostering their dignity and agency.

Option (the commitment against poverty)

Underscores the imperative of actively working to dismantle structures of oppression and promote social justice for the poor.

Poverty (Guttierez's View)

Signifies death, encompassing not only physical demise but also premature and unjust death imposed upon the poor due to systemic inequalities.

Cultural death

Accompanies physical death, wherein the poor are stripped of their cultural identity, heritage, and dignity.

Preference (Guttierez's View)

Stems from the inherent goodness of God, who demonstrates a particular concern for the vulnerable and marginalized.

Option (Guttierez's View)

Represents a universal imperative binding upon all Christians, transcending geographical and cultural boundaries.

Theo-logical motivation (Boff)

Grounded in the understanding of the biblical God as fundamentally a living God, actively engaged in the world, and responsive to the needs of humanity.

Christological motivation (Boff)

Inspired by Christ’s preferential option for the poor, evident in his ministry and teachings.

Eschatological motivation (Boff)

Reflects the ultimate criterion by which we will be judged, based on our response to the needs of the poor and marginalized.

Apostolic motivation (Boff)

Inspired by the example of the early Christian community, where believers shared their possessions to ensure that no one among them was in need.

Ecclesiological motivation (Boff)

Rooted in the teachings and pronouncements of various Church councils and conferences, affirming the Church’s commitment to the preferential option for the poor.

The socio-economically poor

Encompass those deprived of the necessary means of subsistence, lacking access to basic necessities such as food, shelter, healthcare, and education.

The evangelically poor

Those who commit themselves to the service of God, embracing a life of simplicity, humility, and solidarity with the marginalized.