At the end of the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy [8 Dec 2015 to 20 November 2016], Pope Francis hoped that people would open their hearts to the needy in society. As a result, he established World Day of the Poor to be observed on the 33rd Sunday of Ordinary Time each year. This year marks the seventh World Day of the Poor and the theme is drawn from the Book of Tobit: ‘Do not turn your face away from the poor’ [Tobit 4:7].
Oxfam’s Hong Kong Poverty Situation Report, released in mid-September, with information from the government’s Census and Statistics Department, found the overall poverty rate in Hong Kong was 20 per cent in the first quarter of 2023, with over 1.36 million people living in poverty—a 0.4 per cent increase over the previous year.
The report defines “poverty” as being below half the median household income in respect of household size, meaning an individual’s income is less than HK$5,000, the income of a two-person household is less than HK$11,000, and a three-person household’s income is less than HK$18,600.
Income inequality increased after the Covid-19 pandemic, with the poorest households experiencing a more than 30 per cent drop in median income to HK$2,300 per month, while the wealthiest households saw their median income increase from 34 times to 57 times.
The Catholic Diocesan Labour Affairs Commission has consistently advocated for the rights and job security of grassroots workers, including the establishment of a living wage that meets basic needs, addressing issues related to isolation and sick leave for frontline cleaning workers during the pandemic, and concerns about outdoor workers’ conditions during extreme heat.
To celebrate World Day of the Poor, various events such as film screenings and a seven-day experience of poverty have been organised with the aim of raising awareness among Catholics to actively care for the needs of their brothers and sisters. This involves not only providing material or financial support but, more importantly, offering genuine time, a willingness to engage in conversations and listening, building respectful and equal relationships as they journey together.
Pope Francis’ message for World Day of the Poor also highlighted the “new poor”—children facing difficult living conditions due to conflict. He called on the public to support young people in facing adversity during challenging economic times.
Many young people today easily lose confidence when they are confronted with setbacks. They feel like they’ve achieved nothing, or even contemplate extreme actions such as suicide. The pope invited the community to walk with young people to help them find the right path in life, and encourage them to build confidence and a sense of identity.
As St. Thérèse of Lisieux said: “Everyone has the right to receive the light of love.” Let us approach those in need with a heart of sacrifice and acceptance, meeting the Lord in the faces of the poor, and recognising the face of Jesus Christ. SE
