Catholicism also promotes the idea of the sanctity of individual life, places moral burdens on business and political leaders in countries where brutality and e

Catholicism also promotes the idea of the sanctity of individual life, places moral burdens on business and political leaders in countries where brutality and exploitation are the norm, and creates a culture that emphasizes and encourages education. (Not to mention the whole "creating the moral foundation Western Democracy takes for granted" thing.) You don't need to start fighting religion to help the poor; religion has provided, for many, the most effective means of getting out poverty. Also, going in to a place and starting a fight against the local religion (be it Catholicism, Islam, neo-Jobsian technocracy) is a good way to be ignored by the people your trying to help.