What Does ‘Preferential Option For The Poor’ Mean?

by Admin · November 18, 2025

Question: What Does ‘Preferential Option For The Poor’ Mean?

Answer: The Catholic Church’s preferential option for the poor is a moral and theological principle rooted in Scripture and Church teaching. It calls on all individuals, institutions and governments to prioritise the needs of the poor and vulnerable in all social, economic, and political decisions.

This “option” is not about excluding others but about ensuring that the marginalised are given particular care and attention, because they are often overlooked or oppressed.

This principle is rooted in the teachings of Jesus, who associated with the poor and healed the sick. In the Old Testament too, God’s concern for the widow, orphan and stranger is a recurring theme. The Church, continuing this mission, insists that the measure of a just society is how it treats its most vulnerable members.

The preferential option recognises that poverty is not just a lack of material resources, but also a lack of access to education, healthcare, and other essential human needs.

Practically, therefore, this principle shapes Catholic Social Teaching on issues like economic justice, healthcare, education, housing and labour, as well as the rights of migrants. It urges Catholics to act in solidarity with the poor, not only through charity but also by challenging unjust systems and structures, giving a voice to the voiceless and advocating for the rights of those who are often excluded from decision-making processes.

Pope Francis repeatedly emphasised this, calling the Church to be “a poor Church for the poor”.

The preferential option for the poor is both a call to compassion and a challenge to conscience — reminding the faithful that love for God must be expressed in concrete acts of justice for those most in need.