Remarks by SRIC on Citizen Advocate Excellence Award:

Bishop Michael D. Pfeifer, OMI, Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of San Angelo
I was born in 1937 in Alamo, Texas in the Rio Grande Valley. I made all of my priestly studies in San Antonio with the Oblates of Mary Immaculate. I was ordained a priest in 1964, and my first priestly assignment was to share in the mission and ministry of the Oblates in Mexico where I served for 16 years. I served mainly in the mountain area of Oaxaca with the good native people, and also had various ministries in Mexico City. During my last 6 years in Mexico, I served as the superior of the Oblate community. In 1981 I was selected to be the provincial of the US Southern Province based in San Antonio. During this time, I led a team to select a mission for the Southern Province in Zambia. By the grace of God this mission has bloomed with new life and this year is completing its 40th anniversary. In 1985 I received a call from Rome that I was to become the Bishop of the Diocese of San Angelo where I spent 28 years, after which I was approved to retire. In my retirement I live with the Oblate community in San Antonio and stay busy in ministry with the Archdiocese of San Antonio, and assisting many programs of the Oblates, especially Oblate School of Theology. It is with great gratitude that I thank the Risen Christ for the many blessings that I have received in my life and service for Christ and his people.

Rev. Warren Austin Brown III
I was born in Fort Worth and raised in Midland, Texas. I have two sisters and one brother, and my parents are both deceased. I graduated from St. Anthony High School Seminary in 1973 and from the University of Texas-Austin in 1977. I made my first vows as a Missionary Oblate of Mary Immaculate in 1978 and graduated from the Oblate School of Theology in 1981. I made my final profession with the Oblates in 1981 and was ordained a priest in 1982. I have served in the Parish Ministry in the Rio Grande Valley for nine years. I graduated with a licentiate in canon law from Saint Paul University, Ottawa, Canada, in 1986 and a doctorate in 2002. I served as the executive director of the Texas Coalition for Responsible Investment (predecessor to SRIC) 1993-1995. I served as a professor and administrator at the Oblate School of Theology from 1995-2010, where I serve again. I worked at the San Antonio Archdiocesan Matrimonial Appellate Tribunal from 1995-2010. From 2010 to 2022 I served as a general councilor on the Oblate General Council in Rome.

Rev. Rufus Whitley, OMI, President & Chief Investment Officer, Oblate International Pastoral Investment Trust
Rufus Whitley, OMI, currently serves as President and Chief Investment Officer of the Oblate International Pastoral (OIP) Investment Trust (www.oiptrust.org). The Trust provides investment management for the reserved and endowment funds of Roman Catholic sponsored institutions throughout the world including, but not limited to, dioceses, religious orders, ministries and schools. The Trust invests in both the private and public markets. As part of its private market allocation, the Trust invests in both concessional and market rate impact investments. Faith consistent investment guidelines are applied to the identification of appropriate public and private market investments, as well as the inclusion of appropriate protections through the investment management and side letter agreements. The guidelines touch on key areas of concern including, but not limited to, life ethics, human rights, indigenous communities, climate change, military weapons, tobacco, supply chain, governance, and the environment. Rufus has served in various capacities with the OIP from its inception in December 1990. In addition, he has served as Treasurer General (CFO) of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, overseeing the financial affairs of the order and its commitments in more than 65 countries. He has received graduate degrees in Economics, Educational Administration, and Theology. His terminal degree (JD) is from Stanford University.

Rev Séamus Finn, OMI, Director OMI JPIC Office  & Chief Faith Consistent Investing – OIP Trust 
Fr. Séamus Finn, OMI, is a global leader in faith-based and socially responsible investing and a priest of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, a missionary religious congregation. He is the director of the Oblates’ United States Province Office of Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation, coordinating their advocacy work on behalf of marginalized peoples and communities living in poverty. He served as chair of the Interfaith Center for Corporate Responsibility’s board of directors for five years and is the director of Faith Consistent Investing for the Oblate International Pastoral Investment Trust. The latter includes an active shareholder investment program both for the U.S. province and for the congregation, as well as a presence at international institutions like the World Bank, IMF and the UN. He serves on the boards of several organizations focused on justice priorities in the public policy arena. Finn has been interviewed for print and radio shows and has appeared on dozens of TV shows, including CNN, CNBC, CBS, PBS, Al Jazeera America, RTE, and The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.