Priority Four: Homelessness — still no room in the inn

I’m a bit irritated with shopping malls decked with Christmas decorations in October and TV commercials promoting the newest toys for the season — we haven’t even eaten our turkey and pumpkin pie yet! One thing that I do find helpful with the reminders that Christmas is near, is we will hear the inevitable revisiting of the Christmas Story.

When I think of the birth of Jesus, one of the themes that looms large for me is the realization that 2008 years later, there is still no room in the inn for thousands of families. “She wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn” (Luke 2:7).

As with Mary and Joseph during the time of Jesus’ birth, an estimated 14,000 people experience inadequate shelter, including women and children, in our state today. On any given night, more than 6,000 people are homeless in Hawaii.

The Catholic Church has long recognized housing as a basic human right. A statement by the United States Conference of Bishops (USCCB), “The Right To A Decent Home: A Pastoral Response To The Crisis in Housing” (November 1975) calls the housing crisis a pastoral imperative for the church.

Our Catholic tradition, eloquently expressed as far back as Pope John XXIII (“Peace on Earth,” April 1963) and Pope Paul VI (“A Call to Action,” May 1971), insists that shelter is one of the basic rights of the human person.

The Second Vatican Council has said with great directness, “There must be made available to all everything necessary for leading a life truly human, such as food, clothes and shelter …” (“Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World,” December 1965).

The church’s teaching on housing continues to be strengthened and reinforced for us today.

n  “The lack of safe, affordable housing requires a renewed commitment to increase the supply of quality housing and to preserve, maintain and improve existing housing through public/private partnerships, especially with religious groups and community organizations.” (USCCB, “Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship,” November 2007)

n  “Many families cannot find or afford decent housing, or must spend so much of their income for shelter that they forego other necessities, such as food and medicine…[The Catholic bishops] support housing policies which seek to preserve and increase the supply of affordable housing and help families pay for it.” (USCCB, “Putting Children and Families First,” 1991)

The Catholic Church has a long tradition of providing services to those in need of shelter. Parishes and diocesan departments operate homeless shelters for families and ex-offenders, prepare hot meals and food packages for homeless persons and provide school supplies and clothing for homeless children … the list goes on, but this is not enough. There is much more that we can accomplish personally, as a community and as a church to end homelessness in the Land of Aloha.

A review of parish input at the vicariate level resulted in homelessness as a priority in our Diocesan Road Map. In proclaiming the principle of stewardship, we must take note of the fact that the church is also an institution possessing land and real estate. It is with great pride that we acknowledge that our diocese has completed an inventory of property and real estate, reflecting upon its utilization and examining how it might better be put at the service of those who lack adequate shelter and other uses. This information can be found on our diocesan website.

It is not enough for us to point to the reality of the lack of affordable housing and homelessness and recommend that government and other institutions take appropriate action. Our church and Bishop Larry Silva are calling on all Catholics to this special “housing ministry.” Let’s all do our part in ensuring that there is room in the inn for all who need it.