PLENARY COUNCIL OF

THE PHILIPPINES II
AND GAUDIUM ET SPES
If a brother or sister as nothing to wear and no food
for the day, and you say to them “good bye and good
luck! Keep warm and well fed” but do not meet their
bodily need what good is that”
Gaudium et Spes
• Promulgated by Pope Paul VI
• on December 1965
• About the issue of the modern
world such as modern technology,
poverty, issue of marriage and
social justice.
Gadium Et Spes
• Gadium et Spes (Joy and Hope)
• Addressed to all people
• Regardless of their creed and
culture
Church official stand:
Gaudium Et Spes promotes social justice
and equality to all people especially with
the rich and the poor. It can be seen in the
Economic and Social Life chapter of the
document.
ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL LIFE

“Luxury and misery exist side by side.”

While a few individuals enjoy almost
unlimited opportunity to choose for
themselves, the vast majority quite often
have to live and work in conditions
unworthy of human beings.”
ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL LIFE
The document promotes social justice and
equality to all. Wealthy people and
marginalized people of society should
always be equal in the eyes of everyone.
Social or economic status must not be a
hindrance to promote equality in society.
Poverty
• Not having enough possessions or
income for person’s need. Involves social,
economic and political needs.
• Absolute poverty complete lack of
necessities to meet basic needs such as
food, clothing and shelter.
• Most severe problem the whole world is
facing right now.
Poverty Line

Pinpoint the monthly or weekly

income needed by an average
family to purchase basic goods and
services needed for human living.
Different forms of Poverty
• Poor self esteem- inability to develop skills and
confidence to improve their condition.
• Powerlessness- inability to rise above their situation
and reasonably assert themselves and their rights
• Discrimination- Poor are confined to a lower edge in
the community ‘Marginalized’ term used to refer to
the poor who are neglected, overlooked or oppressed.
• Selfishness- rely on wealth as the key to human
development is a form of poverty.
Causes of Poverty
• Lack of required skill and educational
background
• Don’t have edge to compete with many
Filipinos seeking employment, especially the
middle class and the poor.
• Lack of Quality education, decent employment
and health care services.
• Lack of government support.
Second Plenary Council od the
Philippines
• Held in Manila
• January 20 1991 to February 17 1991
• Response to the Vatican Council II
PCP II sees this poverty as:
• Common good dictates that more
attention must given to the less fortunate
members of society
• Opt like Jesus for the ‘little ones’ the poor
and marginalized of our society. (PCPII
#312)
PCPII AND PRFERENTIAL
OPTION FOR THE POOR
• Term ‘OPTION’ Church wants to simply emphasize that freedom and
commitment that one should express in a decision
• Option means decision and commitment in favor of the poor
• ‘PREFERENTIAL’ signifies the choice of the poor as a priority of
Christian witnessing to justice and solidarity- a priority which does not
excluded the rich.
• ‘POOR’ poor are those who lack the basic necessities of a real human life.
Poor may be found with many different races, poor among street children,
slum dwellers, hopeless, and frustrated youth, indigenous people, peasants,
the aged, unemployed, discriminated woman, battered wife, etc.
Four Concerns of the option of the poor
• 1. MIGRANTS- they need support and care in order to
preserve their human dignity and their cultural and religious
heritage.
• 2. Indigenous People- Catholic needs to identify pastoral work
by attending the concerns and the question of justice, which
affect their lives. Immense field of action education and health
care.
• Children- Victim of intolerable exploitation and violence.
Synod of Bishops identify child labor.
• Women- Discrimination and violence often found in home,
workplace, legal systems. *treated as prostitutions
Basic Ecclesial Community
• A small community advocating Christian formation in the
Church with the vision of community of disciples that live in a
communion life and contribute to her mission and as church of
the poor.

• Was initiated as response to integrate in the daily life to the

Filipino community.
Practice of Preferential Option for the
Poor
• See things through the eyes of the poor
• Work with the Poor
• Work for them
• Trust in God’s Providence