The Poor are always with us

Travelling in India earlier this year was a stark reminder of the gap between rich and poor found in many developing countries, but the need for a Food Bank in St Albans, is a statement that the poor are everywhere, while food wastage here is on an immoral scale. Pope Francis in his new book Evangelli Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel), himself trying to live as simple a life as his work makes possible, reminds us that the ‘poor will inherit the Earth’.

In a recent talk at SS Alban & Stephen’s, Dr Jack Dominian,( renowned Psychiatrist and author), himself elderly and blind, demanded that we also think of the ‘New Poor’; the elderly, lonely and demented.

In May 2013, the Private Member’s Bill on Assisted Suicide had its first reading. This May it is likely to be high on the agenda for the New Parliament. Having an elderly bed- ridden mother myself, I know the terrible scourge of loneliness and depression, but this should and can be treated. There will always be really sad exceptions, but I fear that if this Bill becomes Law it could have unintended consequences. Did anyone expect that the 1967 Abortion Act, would result in sex selection in Britain?

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