2013-05-06    John W        John W's previous articles

In each diocese: a Vicar for the Poor

Recently I met someone involved in a certain line of work that can't be given publicity. Person said that others involved in the same work don't have much, if any, contact with each other. Person is trying to get various groups to come together occasionally for sharing and support

Same problem affects our work for the poor. Pope Francis has asked Catholics to do more for the poor. To "go out" more.
But very often, various groups that serve the poor have little contact with each other.
In a diocese, even in a parish, groups can be doing good things for the poor that other groups serving the poor are not aware of. 
This can result in over-lapping and other issues

Maybe in some countries there is already a communication structure between groups like Caritas and the Vincent de Paul Society.
But my experience is that in many places, right hands don't know what left hands are doing.  Sometimes there's a competitive or possessive spirit that doesn't want to share with others. 

This is sadly true of Catholic and "non-Catholic" groups in most places. Very little contact/co-operation/sharing etc

So...to promote more effective service of the poor  in a diocese...maybe there could be some sort of annual (if not more often) gathering of groups that serve the poor. Ideally such gatherings should involve all church and other organizations that serve the poor in the diocese 

Which leads on to the thought: from a Catholic point of view, given the Pope's lead, maybe every diocese should have a Vicar for the Poor....who has the responsibility to bring like-minded groups together, as well as the task of promoting more care for the poor

Some dioceses have a Vicar for Social Services, but could there also a more specific role: Vicar for the Poor.  Such a person obviously doesn't have to be from the clergy.  A lay person with experience in Caritas or St VdP would be ideal. Preferably someone with "mud on their boots" who lives simply, rather than a career professional who lives a life of luxury

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