Preferential Option Research Articles

Principles of an Option for the Poor in Bioethics

The principle of a preferential option for the poor is an oft misunderstood Catholic teaching, in part because it is rarely explored beyond casual invocation. In this article, Christopher Reilly explores this principle as it pertains to Bioethics. In order to clarify the concept, this article puts forth nine points to follow in order to effectively implement this principle.

A szegényekért élni és egymás testvérének lenni. Megjegyzések Ferenc pápa pontifikátusának két meghatározó aspektusáról

Drawing on Pope Francis’s apostolic exhortation Evangelii Gaudium, the paper examines two important aspects of the ongoing pontificate. Since his election as Bishop of Rome in 2013, the pope has shown particular concern for the poor and encouraged efforts to promote fraternity across borders. Not only has he made gestures to demonstrate the importance of these two themes, but he also addressed them in his magisterial statements which will be systematically analysed in this article. Besides other themes, this essay also detects key ideas preceding the notion of the preferential option for the poor and of universal fraternity in the ecclesial tradition, especially in the teaching of the Second Vatican Council.

The Catechist: Witness to New Life in Christ: The Third International Catechetical Congress, Rome

The Catechist: Witness to New Life in ChristThe Third International Catechetical Congress, Rome Jem Sullivan, Ph.D. (bio) Pope Francis' institution of the Ministry of Catechist draws renewed attention to the personal witness and formation of catechists.1 This emphasis is also highlighted in the Directory for Catechesis.2 In the two catechetical documents that preceded it, namely the General Catechetical Directory (1971) and the General Directory for Catechesis (1997), the vocation and formation of catechists were treated in concluding parts, namely chapters six and five respectively. In a significant shift, the Directory for Catechesis clearly prioritizes the catechist's vocation and initial and ongoing formation by placing these themes in chapters three and four of the first part of this catechetical document. The Third International Catechetical Congress for Catechists held in Rome in September 2022 echoed this focus on the catechist's vocation and witness as a missionary disciple of Jesus Christ. Titled The Catechist: Witness to New Life in Christ, the catechetical gathering was hosted by the Vatican's Dicastery for Evangelization and led by its Pro-Prefect, Archbishop Rino Fisichella. The meeting drew more than 1400 participants from some 82 countries with bishops, deacons, consecrated [End Page 179] religious, and lay catechetical leaders and catechists in attendance.3 Speakers from Vatican dicastries and from around the world invited participants to reflect on the vocation to catechetical ministry and to renew their dedication to their shared mission of making the Gospel resound in the minds, hearts and lives of persons today. This essay offers a summary documentation of the Third International Catechetical Congress of Catechists (2022), its major themes and implications for the ongoing renewal of catechesis today. To begin the essay, a brief overview of significant international catechetical gatherings taking place in the course of the last century provides historical context for this recent international catechetical meeting of a large and diverse community from around the world. International Catechetical Gatherings One notable early gathering of bishops, pastors and catechists took place in a catechetical congress held in September 1910 in Milan, Italy.4 The occasion was the celebration of the third centenary of the canonization of Saint Charles Borromeo, renowned for his efforts to renew catechesis when he served as Archbishop of Milan from 1564 to 1584. Borromeo's many contributions to the post-Reformation Church were significant, including the reform of clergy formation and his oversight and redaction of the final text of the Catechism of the Council of Trent, or Roman Catechism as it came to be known.5 Four key themes focused the attention of participants at this 1910 meeting, namely the Catechism, the catechist, the catechized and catechetical methods. In the following decades, a vigorous catechetical movement emerged alongside the biblical, liturgical and patristic movements of the first half of the twentieth century. Catechetical themes brought to the forefront in the research and publications of key figures of the catechetical movement found concrete expression in a series of catechetical [End Page 180] gatherings that came to be known as the International Catechetical Study Weeks.6 Organized by Johannes Hofinger, S.J., this series of catechetical meetings began with a session in Nijmegen, Netherlands (1959) during which participants explored the relationship of liturgy to catechetical ministry. Discussion of this theme continued at the next international gathering in Eichstätt, Germany (1960). The Eichstätt Catechetical Study Week was groundbreaking in its synthesis of Josef Jungmann's kerygmatic approach to catechesis and the "pedagogy of signs" in liturgical catechesis. The discussions and outcomes of the Eichstätt Catechetical Study Week would be integrated into key documents of Vatican II, particularly in the restoration of the ancient catechumenate. The next catechetical gathering in Bangkok, Thailand (1962) focused on the term "pre-evangelization," while the seminars in Katigondo, Uganda (1964), and Manila, Philippines (1967) expanded reflection on themes from earlier meetings now unfolding within a more global perspective. The sixth International Catechetical Study Week, held in Medellin, Colombia (1968), drew insights from theological currents in Liberation Theology and the "preferential option for the poor," contributing significantly to reflection on how catechesis is shaped by the social and political demands of the Gospel, experienced in the concrete...

Analyzing the Morality of Owning and Suspending Patent Rights for COVID-19 Vaccines in the Light of Catholic Social Teaching.

Using the Roman Catholic Church’s set of moral principles on social concerns called Catholic social teaching (CST) and utilizing some secondary data and scientific research literature, this article examines the morality of India and South Africa’s request to the World Trade Organization (WTO) to temporarily suspend the property rights and patents of top pharmaceutical companies to their vaccines to allow low-income countries to locally manufacture them to save the lives of the poor during this COVID-19 pandemic. Applying the theological method of “See-Judge-and-Act,” this article argues that the suspension of patents for COVID vaccines is morally justifiable in the light of CST’s principles on the universal destination of earth’s goods, the common good, and preferential option for the poor. The top pharmaceutical companies cannot claim absolute ownership to their vaccines as they do not totally own and fund the entire development and production process. Furthermore, the right to private ownership and patents has a social dimension and must serve the common good and welfare of the poor, especially in times of global emergency such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Patent holders have a moral obligation to promote the common good and save the lives of the poor which must prevail over their capitalist quest for profit. This article recommends that Catholics and Christians must join this crusade for the suspension of patents as part of their spirituality of social transformation.Summary: Applying the Roman Catholic Church’s set of moral principles on social concerns called CST and utilizing some secondary data and scientific research literature, this article examines the morality of India and South Africa’s request to the World Trade Organization to temporarily suspend the property rights and patents of top pharmaceutical companies to their vaccines to allow low-income countries to locally manufacture them to save the lives of the poor during the current pandemic. Applying the theological method of “See-Judge-and-Act,” this article argues that the suspension of patents for COVID vaccines is morally justifiable in the light of CST’s principles on the universal destination of earth goods, the common good, and preferential option for the poor. It recommends that Catholics and Christians must join this crusade for the suspension of patents as part of their spirituality of social transformation.Short Summary: This article argues that patents of the top pharmaceutical companies to their COVID-19 vaccines must be suspended as requested by India and South Africa in the WTO in the light of CST’s moral principles on the universal destination of earth’s goods, the common good, and preferential option for the poor.

From the Preferential Option for the Poor to Conservative Catholicism: The History of the Diocese of Cuernavaca as a Field

From the Preferential Option for the Poor to Conservative Catholicism: The History of the Diocese of Cuernavaca as a Field

Twenty years of research on spent nuclear fuel in the context of final disposal at KIT-INE in multinational collaborative projects

Abstract. Disposal of spent nuclear fuel (SNF) in deep geological repositories is considered a preferential option for the management of such wastes in many countries with nuclear power plants. With the aim to permanently and safely isolate the radionuclide inventory from the biosphere for a sufficient time, a multibarrier system consisting of technical, geotechnical and geological barriers is interposed between the emplaced waste and the environment. In safety assessments for deep underground repositories, access of water, followed by failure of canisters and finally loss of the cladding integrity is considered in the long-term. Hence, evaluating the performance of SNF in deep geological disposal systems requires process understanding of SNF dissolution and rates as well as quantification of radionuclides release from SNF under reducing conditions of a breached container. In order to derive a radionuclide source term, the SNF dissolution and alteration processes can be assigned to two steps: (i) instantaneous release of radionuclides upon cladding failure from gap and grain boundaries and (ii) a long-term release that results from dissolution of the fuel grains itself (Ewing, 2015). In this context, research at KIT-INE has focused for more than 20 years on the behavior of SNF (irradiated UO2 and MOX fuels) under geochemical conditions (pH, redox and ionic strength) representative of various repository concepts, including the interaction of SNF with backfill material, such as bentonite as well as the influence of iron corrosion products, e.g. magnetite and radiolytic reactions on SNF dissolution mechanisms. Since 2001, KIT-INE has contributed with experimental and theoretical studies on the behavior of SNF under repository relevant conditions to six Euratom projects viz SFS (2001–2004), NF-PRO (2004–2006), MICADO (2006–2009), RECOSY (2007–2011), FIRST-Nuclides (2012–2014) and DISCO (2016–2021). Moreover, since 2007, overall 4 consecutive projects for the Belgian waste management organization, ONDRAF-NIRAS, were performed on the behavior of SNF under conditions representative of the Belgian “Supercontainer” concept. In this contribution, we summarize major achievements of theses research projects to understand and quantify the radionuclide release from dissolving SNF under repository conditions. In particular, the dependence of radionuclide release on the chemical composition of the aqueous and gaseous phase in the proximity of repositories in different types of host rock is discussed.

MaterCare International in Mission.

MaterCare International (MCI) is an international group of Catholic obstetricians and gynecologists, which has adopted a preferential option for mothers and babies. MCI's mission is to carry out the work of Evangelium Vitae (the Gospel of Life) by improving the lives and health of mothers and babies, both born and unborn. This is achieved through new initiatives of service, training, research, and advocacy, which are designed to reduce the tragic levels of abortion world-wide, and maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality in developing countries. This paper describes the history of MCI's formation, how it developed and applied a model of comprehensive rural maternity care for developing countries, and numerous other activities upholding the dignity of life and providing advocacy for women and their children. The future of MCI lies in our answer to the 2001 call of Saint Pope John Paul II to the medical profession to "commit whole-heartedly to the service of human life … promoting the ideal of unambiguous service to the miracle of life!"

Mary, woman of faith and displaced person: insights for Catholic schools

Catholic schools share in the preferential option for the poor that is an essential part of following Jesus and the mission of the Church. Catholic schools in many parts of the world have an historical and contemporary mission for the care and education of the poor. This article uses key passages from the Gospels of Luke and Matthew to illustrate that Mary can be understood as an exemplar of God’s preferential option for the poor. Mary is presented as a young and poor Jewish woman of faith in the Annunciation and the Magnificat in Luke’s Gospel and is presented as an externally displaced person in flight into Egypt in Matthew’s Gospel. The paper also examines the journey to Bethlehem in Luke’s Gospel as interpreted by Pope Francis. He interprets this as Mary being an internally displaced person. Adopting these distinctive modes of interpretation, Mary can be recognised as a model of the preferential option for the poor for Catholic schools.

Dual-Functional MgO Nanocrystals Satisfying Both Polysulfides and Li Regulation toward Advanced Lithium-Sulfur Full Batteries.

Lithium-sulfur battery (LSB) is regarded as a preferential option for next-generation energy-storage system, but the lithium polysulfides (LiPSs) shuttling effect and the uncontrollable growth of dendritic Li in the anode impede its commercial viability. To address both of the issues simultaneously, a well-designed hybrid of MgO ultrafine nanocrystals dispersed on graphene-supported carbon nanosheets (MCG) is developed via a facile self-template strategy as dual-functional host for both sulfur and lithium. Relying on the coordination of strong LiPS-capturing capability, the shuttling effect is inhibited. Furthermore, the lithiophilic configuration with high specific surface area induce homogenous Li deposition, thus preventing the formation of disordered lithium dendrite. Integrating all these advantages, a full cell based on S@MCG cathode and Li@MCG@Cu anode exhibits a stable capacity at 0.5 C for 150 cycles with a low capacity fading rate. Furthermore, the full cell achieves a high capacity retention of 85.5% at a high S areal loading of 3.82mg cm-2 under the condition of a low electrolyte/sulfur ratio (E/S) of 6.5µL mg-1 and negative/positive capacity ratio (N/P) of 3. This strategy satisfying both cathode and anode host provides a viable approach to realize high-energy-density and dendrite-free LSBs.

1156P Exosomal lncRNA HOTTIP assessment for non-small cell lung cancer surveillance after curative-intent surgery

Potential curative surgery is the preferential therapeutic option for early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The outcome of these patients it is still very unfavorable, and it is believed that early detection and treatment of recurrence could improve their survival. Patient surveillance after surgery is mostly based in imaging techniques and few circulating biomarkers have been identified. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and their analysis in exosomes have recently emerged as promising blood-based biomarkers.

Development Policy and the Poor, Part 1: The Preferential Option for Merchants, Capitalists, and Bureaucrats

AbstractThe often‐stated goal of economic development is to lift people out of poverty. However, the poor are usually an afterthought in the design of development policy, with any benefit that reaches them “trickling down” from what goes to whatever group is the real focus of development policy. All development policy consists of directing and redirecting resources to the group that is felt will promote the aims of those implementing the policy. Political realignments and the evolution of capitalism have changed the group that is in the vanguard of development at various stages. In this essay (Part 1), we will look at the economic arguments that each of the first three vanguard groups—merchants, capitalists, and bureaucrats—applied to development policy, with special emphasis of the position of the poor. In a separate essay (Part 2), we will look at the Catholic principle of the “preferential option for the poor,” which recommends making the poor the central focus of development policy. In the past seven decades of the U.N.’s development agenda, we see a tension between a status quo development policy that makes economic growth the primary goal and a bottom‐up development strategy that emphasizes programs to build up the capabilities of the poor. We also look at some of the evidence of the successes of each approach and argue that a human‐centered agenda has a better chance of lifting the poor out of poverty.

A Revolution in Catholic Thought on Poverty: Engaging the Poor Means Engaging in History

AbstractPerhaps nowhere else has the Vatican II document Gaudium et Spes been appropriated more radically and completely than by the Catholic Church of Latin America. The gathering of bishops at Medellín, Colombia in 1968 and the documents produced there represent a significant appropriation of the new possibilities opened up by Gaudium et Spes. The new emphasis on “justice” allowed the church to leave older “charity” approaches aside and the “dynamism” embodied by social doctrinal change would allow this episcopal body to affirm a preferential option for the poor that was both multifaceted and revolutionary. A careful consideration of documents from the Medellín Conference reveals the strong influence of Gaudium et Spes, especially in how the Latin American Church moved beyond the traditional societas perfectas model of church/state relations indicative of past centuries with its new commitment to transforming the world. This article highlights certain texts of Gaudium et Spes and their influence upon the Medellín documents.

Should a Christian Party Conceive Policies in Line with the Preferential Option for the Poor? Italian Historical Experience, 1946–1993

AbstractItaly was governed by one party from 1946 to 1993: the Christian Democrats (Democrazia Cristiana or DC). Initially, the DC Party adopted policies in the classical and conservative tradition to cope with poverty: agrarian reform, expansive fiscal policies, and social housing. After the Second Vatican Council, which led to growing acceptance of the “preferential option for the poor,” a radical change emerged in the DC Party regarding some social‐democratic policies: the party endorsed universal healthcare and social pensions and assistance. The fundamental idea was the “decommodification” of basic services. In these reforms, there were some good results as well as some failures. There were also difficulties with public finances.

Development Policy and the Poor, Part 2: Preferential Option for the Poor

AbstractIn a previous essay (Part 1), we examined the economic arguments for development policies that placed certain groups at the vanguard of development policy, making note of the place of the poor in these arguments. In this essay (Part 2), we look at the case for making the poor the central focus of development policy, following the principle in Catholic social thought of the “preferential option for the poor.” That principle recommends evaluation of policies and outcomes first and foremost on how they affect the poor. In looking at the U.N. development agenda, from the first development decade to the millennium development goals and sustainable development goals, we can see a tension between economic growth and eradication of poverty. Over time, a shift in focus has occurred towards placing the poor at the center of development policy. By focusing on the poor and poverty eradication, development policy becomes more about human flourishing, which, ironically, produces higher levels of growth in developing countries. It does, however, lower the growth rate of developed countries, as it reduces their privileged position.

ASTCT, CIBMTR, and EBMT clinical practice recommendations for transplant and cellular therapies in mantle cell lymphoma

Autologous (auto-) or allogeneic (allo-) hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) are accepted treatment modalities for mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). Recently, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy received approval for MCL; however, its exact place and sequence in relation to HCT is unclear. The ASTCT, CIBMTR, and the EBMT, jointly convened an expert panel to formulate consensus recommendations for role, timing and sequencing of auto-, allo-HCT and CAR T-cell therapy for patients with newly diagnosed and relapsed/refractory (R/R) MCL.The RAND-modified Delphi method was used to generate consensus statements. Seventeen consensus statements were generated; in the first line setting auto-HCT consolidation represents standard-of-care in eligible patients, whereas there is no clear role of allo-HCT or CAR T-cell therapy, outside of a clinical trial. In the R/R setting, the preferential option is CAR T-cell therapy especially in MCL failing or intolerant to at least one Bruton’s tyrosine kinase inhibitor, while allo-HCT is recommended if CAR T-cell therapy has failed or is not feasible. In the absence of contemporary evidence-based data, the panel found RAND-modified Delphi methodology effective in providing a formal framework for developing consensus recommendations for the timing and sequence of cellular therapies for MCL.

Successful retrieval of dislocated inferior vena cava filter using double vascular sheaths docking technology: case report

BackgroundDislocation of inferior vena cava filter (IVCF) is a rare complication with potential IVC perforation and other life-threatening risks requiring early diagnosis and in-time retrieval. Most of dislocation IVCF in the past have been shelved or removed by open surgery. It is very difficult to retrieve the filters by interventional technology.Case presentationHere we report a 49-year-old man suffering from dislocation of IVCF implanted due to deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in the right femoral vein. Successful retrieval of the IVCF using double sheaths docking technique was done soon after confirmation of the dislocation. Importance of monitoring and early detection of dislocation of IVCF should be emphasized to avoid further complications.ConclusionsThe double vascular sheaths docking technique can be considered as a preferential option in difficult operative situation.

An Anglican ethic for the COVID-19 pandemic

The health risks associated with the COVID-19 pandemic have changed daily life tremendously. Many are uncertain how to respond due to conflicting advice from authorities, and the practical difficulties inherent in protecting human health while sustaining the economy. The Anglican tradition offers a moral framework, practical principles, and a method of public engagement to address the challenges of COVID-19. Kenneth Kirk provides a framework of virtue and spiritual practices and a method of moral reasoning that resolves problems of conscience. William Temple develops principles of love, justice, human dignity, the common good, and the preferential option for the vulnerable that can be applied to concrete cases. Nigel Biggar and Pauli Murray show how to engage the public from an Anglican perspective to spark conversations and create structures that address the pandemic. The result is flexible guidance that can be tailored to the needs of particular persons and communities.

The vulnerable in time of pandemic: toward a preferential option for the vulnerable and marginalized.

The disproportionate impact of the pandemic on certain populations has highlighted numerous inequities and injustices in our world. In considering the most vulnerable during the COVID-19 pandemic, an inclusive approach is not only a humanitarian approach but also a global public health imperative. The rights of the most vulnerable groups, such as women, youth, indigenous people and persons with disabilities and with co-morbidity, among others need to be protected.

Distributive Justice as a Means of Combating Systemic Racism in Healthcare

Distributive Justice as a Means of Combating Systemic Racism in Healthcare

The Indigenous Peoples in time of a global pandemic.

The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic poses a grave threat to Indigenous Peoples (IPs) around the world. In a recent correspondence, the author explores the vulnerabilities at the local level during COVID-19. IPs experience a high degree of socio-economic marginalization and are at disproportionate risk in public health emergencies, becoming even more vulnerable during the COVID-19 pandemic, owing to factors such as their lack of access to effective monitoring and early-warning systems, and adequate health and social services. This correspondence calls for a ‘multisectoral strategy of intervention’ and a ‘preferential option for the indigenous peoples’ during this global pandemic.