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Fr Séamus Finn and ICCR members attend Faith and Finance Conference in Zug, Switzerland November 2nd, 2017
Fr Séamus Finn OMI, chair of the board of the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility, recently addressed the Faith and Finance Conference, hosted at the LaSalle Haus in Zug, Switzerland. In his remarks, Fr Séamus talked briefly about the origins of ICCR more than 45 years ago and the historic legacy that the organization, through its more than 300 faith-based institutional investors, have achieved through a strategy of consistent substantive engagement with publicly traded corporations.
This engagement strategy is rooted in the rights and responsibilities that all investors assume when they invest in corporations, informed through the extensive networks that faith traditions have throughout the world and guided by the moral and ethical principles that are grounded in the teachings of their respective traditions. Over the past 45 years, ICCR members and colleagues have been at the forefront of drawing attention to the consequences of many destructive and dangerous products and abusive policies and been successful in recalling corporations to their social purpose, providing avenues for advocacy and redress to victims, and awakening the conscience of other shareholders.
The conference in Zug was a unique opportunity to share this story with representatives of many faith institutions and organizations from diverse traditions around the world and to discuss avenues for increased strategic collaboration.
Take Action & Pray with Dreamers this Week: October 29-November 4 October 31st, 2017
A Week of Prayer and Action with Dreamers – October 29 to November 4, 2017 – is underway to build support and elevate the moral voice in support of the DREAM Act of 2017 (S.1615 and H.R. 3440) in both the Senate and House of Representatives.
Dreamers are recipients of the Deferred Action on Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. They are young people who came to the United States before the age of 16 and are currently in school, a graduate of high school or equivalent.
The Interfaith Immigration Coalition has created a Dream Sabbath Toolkit to highlight Dreamer’s stories and resources for advocacy, worship services, educational events, and vigils.
Join faith communities to mark DREAMER’S SABBATH Week and Urge Your Member of Congress to Enact DREAM ACT 2017.
Visit links to Take Action and find more resources on how to support young migrants:
http://www.interfaithimmigration.org/issues/dream-act/
2017 National Vocation Awareness Week October 30th, 2017
National Vocation Awareness Week, November 5 – 11, 2017 is the annual event for the U.S Catholic Church to promote vocations to the priesthood, diaconate and consecrated life.
Catholics through prayer and education are invited to support those who are considering vocations.
Visit this page for information on becoming a Missionary Oblate.
Watch this video about Oblate Mission.
Fr. Séamus Finn, OMI, Speaks at Georgetown University — Berkley Center October 23rd, 2017
Fr. Séamus Finn, in his role as ICCR Board Chair, recently spoke on Faith, Money, and Promoting Inclusive Development at Georgetown University’s Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs. Joining him on the panel was Dr. Jo-Marie Griesgraber of New Rules for Global Finance, based in Washington, DC.
The Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility (ICCR) has a long history of leading and challenging notions of ethics and accountability in the financial system through robust engagement with private institutions and corporations. Founded with the mission of building a more just and sustainable world by integrating social values into corporate and investor actions, the ICCR is often faced with navigating complex and controversial issues, ranging from banking, to mining, to labor practices.
At this event, Fr. Séamus and Dr. Griesgraber explored the current challenges of inclusive and economically sustainable global development within a fragile and constrained ecosystem. They discussed how people of faith are contributing to these debates—both through the alignment of their investments with principles of their faith and by using their voice for advocacy in the public square. Dr. Griesgraber presented on the role of governments and global financial institutions and Fr. Seamus covered the role of the private sector.
Fr. Séamus Finn, OMI is also Chief of Faith Consistent Investment for the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate’s OIP Investment Trust. OIP manages the long term financial assets of the Oblate Congregation and serves over 200 Roman Catholic related entities.
The Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs at Georgetown University is dedicated to the interdisciplinary study of religion, ethics, and public life. Through research, teaching, and service, the center explores global challenges of democracy and human rights; economic and social development; international diplomacy; and interreligious understanding. Two premises guide the center’s work: that a deep examination of faith and values is critical to address these challenges, and that the open engagement of religious and cultural traditions with one another can promote peace. The Center was created in 2006.
October is Respect Life Month October 17th, 2017
October is Respect Life Month and is a time for us to renew our commitment to protecting those most vulnerable in our midst. There are many ways we can get involved in our parishes, and our own prayer lives.
Education
In a recent statement, Cardinal Timothy Dolan, President of the USCCB Committee on Pro-Life activities, reaffirmed the Church’s commitment to protecting human life at all stages. You can read Cardinal Dolan’s entire statement here.
The US Conference of Catholic Bishops has prepared a number of excellent resources to share with members of our parish communities. Many of these are available to print for free.
Advocacy
The Missionary Oblates JPIC continues to advocate for passage of the Conscience Protection Act of 2017. Join us in urging your rep
resentatives to pass this important piece of legislation.
Prayer
Above all, let us remember to pray for an end to abortion, euthanasia, the death penalty, war, and all violations of human life.
“Only with prayer – prayer that storms the heavens for justice and mercy, prayer that cleanses our hearts and souls – will the culture of death that surrounds us today be replaced with a culture of life.”
-Pastoral Plan for Pro-Life Activities, U.S. Catholic Bishops
