“Land, housing and work are increasingly unavailable to the majority of the world’s population. … Demanding this isn’t unusual, it’s the social doctrine of the church.” — Pope Francis, October 2014
Pope Francis spoke these words at the World Meeting of Popular Movements in Rome, and repeated the message around the world, including during his visits to Sri Lanka and the Philippines.
This message was echoed in Hawaii recently as non-profit groups from all over Oahu gathered at Catholic Charities Hawaii to discuss their advocacy priorities for the 2015 state legislative session. The echo was clear in their shared vision “to provide housing choices that build community, strengthen neighborhoods and fit family budgets so that all people will have access to shelter.”
They discussed an island-wide housing action plan that would 1) increase workforce housing inventory, 2) increase low-income and homeless housing options and 3) invest in better neighborhoods. Their strategy included urging the legislature to seriously apply the “affordable housing requirement” to all development in Hawaii. Their strategic action plan was then presented to a receptive and supportive Hawaii Catholic Conference. We hope to hear more about this.
This Gospel call to build the Kingdom with and for the vulnerable is also being heard in parishes here.
St. John the Baptist in Kalihi, Star of the Sea in Kahala and St. Ann in Kaneohe have helped Habitat for Humanity construct six houses in Waimanalo over the last year and a half. Parishes all over the Big Island are also working with Habitat to build 12 homes in 2015.
This Gospel message is inspiring women returning to their communities from prison to seek out partnerships with parish social ministries, non-profit organizations and private sector landlords to secure affordable housing and jobs. Parishioners are coming up with innovative projects that range from rebuilding homes recently destroyed by fire to family-owned businesses renting to ex-incarcerated women and providing them job training.
Private developers are putting this Gospel message into action by exploring ways to help low income families build equity by saving a portion of their rent to eventually buy their units.
Returning to Rome from the Philippines, Pope Francis announced he will soon share a special message on the environment. These words will find fertile ground in parish sustainable food ministries such as the backpack programs connected with school gardens all over Hawaii. Creative projects are springing up all over, including Leeward Oahu where parish land is used for a family farm and property belonging to the Sisters of St. Francis has formerly homeless kupuna providing support for retreats that tap the Franciscan spirituality of respect for all creation.
Ohana natural farming to supplement parish food pantries is being ventured in rural Hawi while parishioners in urban Aiea explore tower gardens. All this is related to the pope’s Food For All project and the launching of Rice Bowl 2015 on Ash Wednesday Feb. 18. The coming ecological papal encyclical promises to root all this in faith.
We look forward to “talking story” about these and many other projects that embody the Gospel message repeated by Pope Francis and embodied in lives of sinners struggling to witness to Jesus.
Mahalo!
Your friends at the Office for Social Ministry
