{"id":16001,"date":"2019-12-06T10:43:31","date_gmt":"2019-12-06T16:43:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/satodayscatholic.org\/?p=16001"},"modified":"2019-12-06T10:43:32","modified_gmt":"2019-12-06T16:43:32","slug":"christ-was-born-poor-so-that-from-his-state-of-poverty-he-might-lift-us-all-archbishop-says","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/satodayscatholic.org\/christ-was-born-poor-so-that-from-his-state-of-poverty-he-might-lift-us-all-archbishop-says\/","title":{"rendered":"Christ was born poor so that from his state of poverty he might lift us all, archbishop says"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Interfaith\nSan Antonio Alliance<\/a> (ISSA), a diverse\nmulti-faith coalition, took a united stand to make housing more affordable and\nend the scourge of homelessness in San Antonio with a press event and\nproclamation signing at the Haven for Hope Chapel November 15.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In his remarks, Archbishop Gustavo Garc\u00eda-Siller,\nMSpS, noted that the issues of homelessness and the lack of affordable housing\nare related, and that during unexpectedly cold days experienced in mid-November\nthere is even more awareness of the issue. \u201cWhile we have accomplished so much\nhere in San Antonio regarding assistance to the homeless, as evidenced by the\nexceptional work of Haven for Hope and its affiliated social care agencies,\nlike the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and Catholic Charities,\u201d said the\narchbishop, \u201cyet we are painfully aware that the problems of homelessness\npersist, and even expand.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Archbishop Gustavo cautioned that in a time when\nsome are experiencing incredible economic success, that in San Antonio too many\npeople are not sharing in these blessings. \u201cMany young citizens remain\nunder-educated. Many neighborhoods suffer from blight and decay,\u201d he stressed.\n\u201cLow income property owners and renters get pressured to move away from their\nhomes, their families, and neighborhoods, as they cannot sustain the costs of\nrising property values and taxes. Some are exploited by ruthless speculators.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Missionary of the Holy Spirit emphasized that San\nAntonio should take legitimate pride in its accomplishments, but without forgetting\n— without leaving behind — its most vulnerable neighbors. \u201cThrough good\npublic policy, the cooperation of citizens of good will, and the involvement of\nthe communities of faith we can accomplish much!\u201d he exclaimed. \u201cThis\nproclamation, which I am honored to sign along with these other faith leaders,\nmy colleagues, is an outward sign of the commitment of the Catholic Church\ncommunity to caring for our neighbors, and working to end the scourge of\nhomelessness and unaffordable housing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking earlier this year about the plight of the\npoor and the homeless, Pope Francis referred to their economic circumstances as\na form of modern slavery. The pope said, \u201cFrom his lowering we have been raised up. From his\nsmallness has come our greatness. From his fragility, our strength. From his\nbecoming a servant, our freedom. What name to give to all this, if not Love?\u201d\nhe stated.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The San Antonio prelate concluded, \u201cNow is our moment to love. This\nlove must take the concrete form of sheltering the homeless, and providing\naffordable housing for all who are in need.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Welcome and introductions at\nthe gathering were made by Rev. Ann Fraser, associate rector of\nSt. Mark\u2019s Episcopal Church, the opening prayer was prayed by Pastor Max Lucado\nof Oak Hills Church; the unity of purpose was given by from Omar Shakir of\nMasjid Bilal Ibn Rabah of San Antonio, and the closing blessing was presented\nby Dr. G.P. Singh, faith leader of Sikh Dharamsal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An affirmation of partnership was reiterated by\nMayor Ron Nirenberg of the City of San Antonio, and the proclamation was\nintroduced by Rabbi Emeritus Samuel M. Stahl of Temple Beth-El. The\nproclamation was then read by Rev. Mignon Jones-Spann, associate minister at\nAntioch Missionary Baptist Church<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rev. Wyndee Holbrook, director of the ISSA, invited faith leaders forward to sign the proclamation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Photos: Veronica Markland for Today’s Catholic Newspaper<\/p>\n\n\n\n