The theme for this, the 30th UN International Day for the Eradication of Poverty is, “Moving from humiliation and exclusion to participation: Ending poverty in all its forms”.
On this day we are reminded of the first of the UN Millennium Development Goals – To Eradicate Extreme Poverty and Hunger. According to recent UN data, since 1990, extreme poverty rates have been cut by more than half. Obviously much more work still needs to be done as over 800 million women, men and children still live in extreme poverty.
As Brigidines, “The cries of our hurting planet and those of our sisters and brothers in distress tug at our hearts….we are impelled to take action in small and large ways in the footsteps of Jesus, living in the spirit of Brigid of Kildare and reflecting the values of Daniel Delany.” (2016 Congregational Forum).
Let us recommit ourselves to share our resources generously, to work locally, nationally and globally to bring about a more equitable sharing of Earth’s resources and to collaborate with others to eradicate poverty so that no-one is excluded.
This week we are invited to pray for all people involved in agencies working to eradicate poverty.
St Teresa of Calcutta said, “The poor do not need our compassion or our pity; they need our help.”
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