1. Introduction: The Preferential Option for the Poor
Within the Christian faith, the preferential option for the poor goes hand in hand with the epistemological privilege of the poor. It is fairly well accepted by all faiths, ethical societies, and peoples that the rich and the powerful have a duty to help alleviate the struggles and sufferings of the poor. And beyond that, that both the state and private institutions have a duty not to deliberately add to the suffering of the poor by commission or by omission. Article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that:
(1) Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing, and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.1
Written by Matsepane Morare SJ, Researcher; and Mandisa Dyantyi, Research Intern, Southern African Catholic Bishops' Conference Parliamentary Liaison Office (CPLO)
Dyantyi is studying towards her Master’s degree in Political Studies at the University of the Western Cape, as part of which she is completing a six-month internship at the CPLO