"It is not enough"

On Thursday, the Archbishop of New York, Cardinal Timothy Dolan, and the Bishop of Brooklyn, Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio, issued a statement about poverty.  They issued it on Thursday as it was the Feast of Saint Vincent DePaul, a saint known for his devotion to and care of the poor.

Their statement pertains, of course, to New York but the sentiments are certainly the same in Manchester.  You can read the whole thing here but below is a taste:

As the Church celebrates the feast of St. Vincent DePaul, we affirm that the poor must receive our special attention to ensure that they have basic necessities of life.   While St. Vincent de Paul may be the “star” saint, the commitment of the Church to the poor comes directly from Jesus and was first formally recognized by the appointment of deacons to cares for the Greek speaking widows.  Throughout the history of the Church there has always been a preferential option for the poor...

This commitment and dedication continues and grows today throughout Catholic hospitals, charities and educational institutions.  All of these in their own way make service to the poor the hallmark of their work in building the common good.  Catholic Charities in the Archdiocese of New York and the Diocese of Brooklyn serve literally hundreds of thousands of people each year – the neglected child, the homeless family, the hungry senior, the new immigrant to our shores – through our soup kitchens, homeless shelters, family and youth services, and so much more.

There is too much finger pointing and not enough joining hands.  Solidarity is critical to ensure the dignity of all.