Priest Becomes Savior in Foreclosure Crisis

Father John Lasseigne works with residents and banks to halt foreclosures in his diocese in Pacoima, California.

Fr. Lasseigne is a wonderful example of how religious leaders can help to alleviate financial-economic concerns of those they serve. The mitigation of financial woes lessens people's stress levels, which, in turn, affects their mental and physical well-being. And these kinds of activities are certainly elements to be addressed in the process of spiritual growth.

As we in Unity would affirm, though spiritual transformation has its origin and foundation in mental/attitudinal conditions, the psychological, emotional, physical, environmental, and even financial facets of life must be addressed in order for real progress in personal development takes place. That is, our mental-intentional being is the agency that guides and directs transformation, all aspects of the human being must be holistically accounted for so as to engender productive spiritual growth. (Some Unity literature references would be, for example, C. Fillmore, Prosperity [1936] and E. Butterworth, Spiritual Economics [1993].)

Fr. Lasseigne has realized that he can't just stand by and watch his parishoners fall into financial chaos, especially when many of the banks are engaging in unfair practices and taking advantage of their unknowing (often immigrant and English language learning) patrons. He can't just pontificate at the pulpit or simply tell his congregants what they should be doing in terms of prayer, lifestyle, etc. He has realized that he can also be effective by becoming involved in people's individual and communal lives by counseling people, attending community meetings, publicly voicing the church's concerns, and advocating for people in his spiritual community by working closely with them and their banks. He states, "The church is concerned about the health of its community, and if the community is going through an upheaval and many families are being dislocated, we have to respond."

Thelma Guitierrez of CNN has the Fr. Lasseigne story.