How can faith communities with their financial policies contribute to the care of the earth, our common home? This question was central to the ecumenical seminar From financial choices to care for creation. The seminar was organized by KNR, Protestant Church in the Netherlands, the Laudato Si's alliance and Socires.
In 2015, the encyclical Laudato Siūn, in which Pope Francis calls for a new approach to our dealings with the earth. This ecumenical seminar considered the significance of this call for the financial policy of religious communities. More than 50 visitors from caritas institutions, monastery communities, parishes and Protestant municipalities were welcomed to the R.K. Parish De Emmausganger in Rotterdam.
The situation of the participants is very different. Peter Driessen (deacon in the Christ Triomfator church in The Hague): "We are dealing with a very diverse and Standing congregation. It goes from Extinction Rebellion to barbecue. Fortunately, we have a good atmosphere, in which there is room to talk." Sjerp Weima (Protestant municipality in Houten): "It doesn't seem to be living with us at all. While it's a very important subject. I hope to find practical handles here, but also a theological basis and tips on how to talk to your congregation about this."
What do we have money for?
The first speaker of the afternoon, Carmody Grey (special professor Integral Ecology, Laudato Si hindered institution, Radboud University) begins her story with the question What is funding for? It stays quiet in the hall. She says she once asked this question to a group of bankers and investors. You'd say: THE experts on funding. Yet that question did not turn out to be easy to answer. The attendees began to wobble uncomfortablely on their seats and came no further than a doubt: "To make more money?"
"It's not surprising that bankers and investors can't answer this question." Grey continues. "It's an existential, theological question. The question of what funding is meant for, we can only answer, by first thinking about who we are, what our relationship is to everything that lives and what our role is in this whole. Even an externally noble term as a sustainable investment asset (sustainable) is an empty term, if you don't know what you want to keep (to sustain). But at the moment the financial world has no answer to this question. However, at the moment, the world has a disproportionate power in the area of financing, as well as a "technology' and "finance'. They manipulate us with a smokescreen of sporadic philanthropy and empty promises. Church investors must prick through this and make a serious effort to contribute to the flowering and community of God's entire creation."
Who can we learn from?
But how do you do that? Mgr. Dr. Hans van den Hende (Bisschop diocese of Rotterdam) and Kees Gootjes (director De Nieuwe Beurskoers) the other speakers this afternoon, give examples of how the church in history has taken action against roofing. For example, in the Middle Ages, Antony of Palua pleaded not to give the rich who exploited the poor a church burial. Around 1600 it was the baptismalists who took away their investment from the VOC, when even after conversations with the baptist investors, the Lords XVII also refused to stop active warfare overseas. At the beginning of 1900, Edmund Dene Morel made the abuses behind the trade with Congo visible, thanks to a large network of missionaries, whose eyewitness accounts and photos beat public opinion.
What can we do?
Kees Gutterjes: "Even now, companies generally do not change their policies by themselves. Churches can act by making their voice heard and being critical of banks and investors. In the Bible we read about the jubilee year, where debts are forgiven, land is returned and slaves are released. An important correction in a world in which people tend to increase their assets at the expense of the earth and each other. The ecclesiastical voice is needed and the church has the power to exert influence, especially when the forces are combined. '
Carmody Grey: "According to the Laudato Si Encyclical, we can only exist within our relationship with God, the earth and each other. Inside a shared creation of the oikos: our common home. God sends His Spirit into the world to bring wholeness. His Spirit extends to allow God's whole creation to flourish in fellowship. Let the deployment of your power be in line with this movement. God's creatures are our only real stakeholders. Churches should not secure their ability or simply use it to face an uncertain future, without real purpose. Power must be used in line with God's mission: to save the world."
How far do we want to go?
Jan Hein Blom (Order of the Carmelites): "We can take an example of Mohammed Yunus (winner of the Nobel Peace Prize), who lent many small amounts to people who wanted to undertake. Afterwards, his "Grameen Bank" proved very successful. It is obvious to examine these examples further and to take initiative. If we find our own playing field, we can play our own game. It is necessary and possible."
Koert Janssen (PKN portfolio manager): "We often agree that it should be more sustainable, but at the same time it should not cost anything. It becomes really exciting when you dare to ask: are we willing to make concessions to return or take more risk? Do our money actually dare to spend? That's exciting, but we have to have this conversation."