The Archbishop of Dublin, Dr Diarmuid Martin, has called for a clear political vision in Ireland and elsewhere on how to approach disadvantage.
Speaking at the Croke Park conference yesterday, he said "economic growth on its own will not redress poverty, disadvantage and gross inequalities.
"There is a need today for a clear political vision - based on sound economic policies, but political in its essence - of how to approach disadvantage," he said.
Dr Martin declared: "Irish people are proud to be told that their economic model is an example to other countries and that all our economic indicators are on the higher levels of all the comparative charts. But they also want to see their social indicators correspondingly high on the charts."
He criticised the inefficient use of resources as "a form of moral irresponsibility. Inefficient use of public funds and resources is very often just another form of corruption. And as always the first victims of corruption are poor." Dr Martin said that "economic success which is not accompanied by quality health and social services and by quality education for all will leave voters unhappy".
Efficiency in the use of resources was important "but education and healthcare belong to those 'qualitative goods' which cannot be bought or sold or managed simply on the principles of market logic", he said. "An ethical framework is needed for the economy to function," Dr Martin added.
He said the international community must be consistent in realising its commitments.
"Promises that are made regarding international development are promises to the poor. Failure to keep one's word is failing the poor."