Opcja preferencyjna na rzecz ubogich realizacją przykazania miłości. Z perspektywy globalnej i Polski

The contemporary world is challenged by poverty. A particular form of serving the poor is a „preferential option for the poor”, also known as the „preferential love for the poor”. This op-tion is developed on the basis of the Church’s social teaching on social solidarity and love which imitate Christ in His attitude toward the poor. The article presents the origin, nature, and ways of realizing the preferential love for the poor in the modern world and in the life of the Church. It starts with explaining the meaning of the word poor (poverty), then draws attention to the various manifestations of poverty in Poland and in the world. It also reflects on the moral responsibility for the current scale of poverty. The analyses embrace the teaching of Pope John Paul II. His words and the example of his life were an urgent appeal to all the people of good will to change the situation of the poor. The topic have been presented against the background of socio-economic sciences.