(Vatican Radio) With the reform of the Vatican IOR making a landmark on Thursday, one possible way of putting into practice Pope Francis’ challenges to the 'globalization of indifference' in our global economy could be investment in funds for local infrastructure projects. The Vatican IOR on Thursday released its Annual Report on 2015, saying it’s now "impossible to launder money" through them.Fr. Seamus Finn of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate is the Board Chairman of the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility, which comprises nearly 300 organizations and collectively represents over $100 billion in invested capital.Nearly a year on from the release of Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’, Devin Watkins spoke to Oblate Fr. Seamus Finn about how the Holy Father’s challenges to the global economy have been put into practice.Listen to the full interview: Laudato Si' in practiceFr. Finn said that several religiou...
(Vatican Radio) With the reform of the Vatican IOR making a landmark on Thursday, one possible way of putting into practice Pope Francis’ challenges to the 'globalization of indifference' in our global economy could be investment in funds for local infrastructure projects.
Fr. Seamus Finn of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate is the Board Chairman of the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility, which comprises nearly 300 organizations and collectively represents over $100 billion in invested capital.
Nearly a year on from the release of Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’, Devin Watkins spoke to Oblate Fr. Seamus Finn about how the Holy Father’s challenges to the global economy have been put into practice.
Listen to the full interview:
Laudato Si' in practice
Fr. Finn said that several religious organizations have made efforts to put into practice Pope Francis' challenges to our global economy, or the 'globalization of indifference' as the Pope calls it.
"I think we're at the stage now of trying to practically apply the challenges the Holy Father has put out there about the economic system that we have. So, very simply, how do we really respond to the 'globalization of indifference' that he seems to feel is one of the consequences of the affluence of the first world and the domination of first world in term of the economic system."
As Chair of the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility, Fr. Finn assists corporations and religious institutions in investing and operating in a faith-conscious manner. He said there are several projects which aim at putting Pope Francis' teachings into practice.
"We have spent a lot of time looking at some of the private equity initiatives that are out there... Some individuals and groups of individuals have come forward and constructed funds that are specifically targeted at addressing the issues related to energy, agriculture, housing, telecommunications, financial services. And they feel they've come up with ways in which they can creatively do that in a way that's profitable for investors and that serves populations that are now underserved or that governments are not able to [serve]."
"An example of one of those funds is an energy fund in the Caribbean. These folks have been diligently looking at, can we take solar energy and wind energy and develop it at a scale in which the local governments - who have been unable to deliver enough energy these local populations - can invest."
Vatican IOR reform possibilities
Fr. Finn commented on the reform process taking place within the Vatican IOR and APSA, saying "I think they've made great progress in the reforms that have been put in place. I think they've responded well to the challenges of the European Union in terms of trying to fit more accurately and transparently into the larger community."
He said, "I'm hopeful they will begin now to look at some of these projects and say, 'we're not as rich as people think we are but we could profitably and responsibly advise our clients or invest some of our capital in some of these funds and do it in a way that we might then hold up [as examples of ways in which] we are responding to the challenges the Holy Father has put out there for all of us. I think it would do wonders for their reputation and their image."
null / Credit: Peter Hermes Furian via ShutterstockACI Prensa Staff, Apr 19, 2024 / 15:00 pm (CNA).The pontifical foundation Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) on April 19 condemned the kidnapping and murder of a catechist in Burkina Faso, West Africa.In a news brief, ACN informed ACI Prensa, CNA's Spanish-language news partner, that catechist Edouard Yougbare was kidnapped on Thursday night by "terrorists, and his lifeless body was found near Zigni this morning."According to other local sources, along with Yougbare, who was a member of Saatenga parish in Fada Gourma, Burkina Faso, more people were kidnapped and murdered."We are heartbroken by the loss of Yougbare. He served his community faithfully and his death is a devastating blow for the people of Saatenga," lamented Spaniard María Lozano, press and public relations director of ACN International."Catechists in Burkina Faso are on the front lines, risking their lives for the good of their people. Just two months ago, ano...
Pope Francis addresses the faithful at his Wednesday general audience on March 27, 2024. / Credit: Vatican MediaVatican City, Apr 19, 2024 / 10:07 am (CNA).In the latest move in Pope Francis' reform of the Vatican judiciary, the pope issued a new motu proprio on Friday on the retirement age and benefits for cardinal judges and magistrates in the Vatican's court system.The April 19 motu proprio states that Vatican magistrates will retire at the end of the judicial year in which they turn 75 and cardinal judges at the age of 80, unless Pope Francis asks them to remain in office beyond the age limit.Magistrates and judges who wish to resign from office before the retirement age can only do so with the approval of the pope.The pope also has the prerogative to dismiss magistrates unable to fulfill their duties at any time. Upon the termination of their duties, magistrates will retain the rights to assistance and welfare provided to Vatican citizens and employees.The motu proprio, wh...
Archbishop Marek Jedraszewski of Krakow announced on April 14, 2024, the decision to begin the process of beatification and canonization of Helena Agnieszka Kmiec, a young lay missionary murdered in Bolivia in 2017. / Credit: The Helena Kmiec FoundationACI Prensa Staff, Apr 19, 2024 / 07:00 am (CNA).Archbishop Marek Jedraszewski of Krakow, Poland, announced the decision to begin the process of beatification and canonization of Helena Agnieszka Kmiec, a young lay missionary murdered in Bolivia in 2017.The prelate said that after the preliminary phase began in December 2022, he made the decision to officially open the process for Kmiec after having consulted the Polish Bishops' Conference and receiving the go-ahead from the Vatican's Dicastery for the Causes of Saints."With this edict I call on all those who have any document, letter, or information about the Servant of God, both positive and negative, to send them to the Metropolitan Curia of Krakow before June 30," the archbish...