I think that "extreme poverty" means not only the lack of adequate funds to buy, or produce, essential needs, but also an absence of support, such as wealthy relatives or government programs, to help ... there is no option, or dignifying choice, but to grub constantly like an animal just to stay alive. An example might be the children who live in the Great Dump of Cairo.
The "extreme poverty" of my 26-year-old daughter, Bethany, is of a different sort. Bethany has Down syndrome, and has been systematically and repeatedly discriminated against and stigmatized by society. No matter how hard she tried, or her family advocated for her, she never had a "best friend" of her own choosing, never a boyfriend with whom to discover her womanhood. The consequences of rejection have been bouts of depression and anti-social behaviours which seem to be Bethany's way of asserting what little control she has in her world. Bethany has her grandfather's Trust Fund, but she lives in this poverty nonetheless. Praise God, she is a core-member of Jean Vanier's L'Arche, whose "franciscan" philosophy of "reciprocity" gives Bethany dignity, respect and hope which no money can buy.
I was challenged, in reading Franciscans' International's position paper on extreme poverty, to begin to pay more than lip-service to the struggle for human rights protection around the world. As Franciscans, we are to be people-centred, and put "the individual and his/her human rights at the heart of all projects that aim to combat poverty". I began to see that extreme poverty was indeed a "violation of fundamental human rights", unlike spiritual poverty which dignifies the individual because it is voluntary.
I felt very "inspired to fight poverty" when I read the current Rule of the Order of Secular Franciscans for the first time this week. We are urged to fight poverty by learning to "follow Christ in the footsteps of St. Francis", by making present Francis' charism within the life of our Church, and by "making Christ the inspiration and centre of our life with God and people". We are exhorted to see all people as our equals, indwelt by the same "divine seed".
Respectfully submitted by Julia F.
Hi Julia!
When I read your response I jumped for joy! I couldn't agree with you more!
Br. David Flood argues that Francis was NEVER POOR! Because by his definition:
"One is poor when they lose connection with others."
Francis never lost his connection with others and then the Friars formed their own support groups. They then helped others without support such as the lepers and 'alms houses' (eventually to become hospitals). Your right very, very similar in Spirit with L'Arche
Confronting the difference between extreme poverty as a violation of human rights and Holy poverty is very challenging for us Franciscans because we do understand that Holy Poverty is the way to live, but the trick is to recognize that Holy Poverty, by those us that choose it, can help lead to solution to extreme poverty.
In Topic 3 we explore who is vulnerable to extreme poverty and Bethany would be on the top of my list whether it was in the time of Christ, Francis or now! I've added a summary I wrote on Br. Flood's presentation on Francis to this reply. It's made to follow with a text book, but you can get the main message!
Peace and All Good, Pat
I totally agree that Francis was never poor, he had found the pearl of great value and sold or rather gave away all he had in order to gain the pearl which is of course our Lord Jesus. Francis chose Holy poverty which gave him complete freedom to serve and minister to the lepers and the poor. In his freedom he could always give what he had to others including, as the story goes, his own shirt to a brother friar who was cold. I remember Fr. Oswald Fuchs once giving a homily in which he talked about "of all that is said to you give until it hurts perhaps Jesus would continue to say "I say to you if it hurts do not give" and Fr. Oswald explained that if it hurts you are not in the right space.
For me I think Francis' giving was not a pain to be endured but it was a joy and pleasure to give. This is the freedom of holy poverty. If only we could all become so free and give so happily to those in need, wither in need of money, food, clothing, dignity, a fair chance, an open heart, a willing ear, a helping hand, a smile, a word of encouragement in a time of need or whatever. Poverty has many faces and many needs. some may seem small some may seem large, but all need to be redeemed.
Hi Terry,
I agree. I think Francis realized that Holy Poverty in a group that supported one another, but chose to live simply the Gospel, did set one free. He and the brothers realized that those struggling to live on the edge of collapse in the rich city of Assisi, could not hope for Holy Poverty as they were trapped in material poverty and misery. He did not wish them to live in that manner and he and the brothers reminded Assisi, that as Christians they had an obligation to the poor. I think Francis realized that the more people that chose Holy Poverty would allow Assisi to support the marginalized and in turn more people could turn towards the freedom that a Gospel life, a life dedicated to 'love thy neighbor' could save them all.