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Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate  United States Province

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News Archives » interfaith center on corporate responsibility


OMI JPIC USA Welcomes Interfaith Coalition’s Response to “Magnifica Humanitas,” Pope Leo’s Encyclical on AI June 3rd, 2026

“OMI JPIC USA welcomes the following Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility‘s (ICCR) response to “Magnifica Humanitas,” the encyclical on artificial intelligence that was released on May 25th by Pope Leo XIV.”
(Fr. Séamus Finn, OMI)

In response to the release of Pope Leo XIV’s encyclical Magnifica Humanitas Josh Zinner, CEO of ICCR, issued the following statement:

“ICCR is grateful for the moral clarity and analytical rigor conveyed in Pope Leo’s encyclical about AI. On so many issues ranging from the over-concentration of corporate power, to income inequality, the future of work, and the danger of surveillance and autonomous weapons, the encyclical highlights the need to not lose sight of the vital human connection.  As the Pope underscores in this important work –  ‘in an age of continuous technological transformation, we need a political creativity that will promote “work” and place the family and coming generations at the center; otherwise our economic progress will translate into new forms of insecurity and exclusion.’

FULL STATEMENT: https://bit.ly/4u2FiAG 

 


A Call For Strong, Global Protections to Safeguard Gig & Platform Workers: Fr Séamus Finn, OMI Weighs In March 16th, 2026

 
NEW YORK, NY — The International Labor Organization (ILO) issued its Blue Report last week, which is a draft Convention and Recommendations related to decent work in the platform economy. As investors, we (members of Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility – ICCR) believe the goal of negotiations should be clear: to adopt a Convention and Recommendation that protects workers, and thus helps mitigate operational, legal, and reputational risks, which helps investors, fulfill their fiduciary duty to manage long-term value and protect assets.
 
…Following this release, ICCR issued an Investor Statement in Support of a Binding Convention on Decent Work in the Platform Economy, supported by 200 investors representing over $2.3 trillion in assets under management and advisement.
 
Fr Seamus Finn, Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate of the U.S. Province
 
“Respect for human dignity in work contributes to a successful economic system. Pope Leo himself has placed a strong emphasis on the ‘defense of human dignity, justice and labor’ and has been open about his concerns about the impacts that modern technologies can have on the lives and safety of workers around the world. These concerns will only grow more pressing as technologies that impact the workforce proliferate and platform workers become an ever-increasing share of the global workforce. It is essential global organizations meant to protect the rights and dignity of workers keep these concerns in mind.”
 
PRESS RELEASE: https://bit.ly/3PbwZUw 
 

Sharing Wisdom: Inspiring Fireside Chat with Fr. Séamus Finn, OMI & Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility (ICCR) Elders April 7th, 2025

Keep the Fire Going
(By Matthew Illian, Director of Responsible Investing, United Church Funds)

 
As we gathered at the Interfaith Center “God Box” for February’s Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility’s (ICCR) conference, many of us carried a troubled spirit. You didn’t hear any lamenting, but you could sense our weariness in the way we greeted one another. Whether with words, a smile, or a hug, our interactions were more heartfelt than usual. We weren’t just saying hello; we also came seeking something – perhaps reassurance.
 
We were two months into rapid-fire Executive Orders from the Trump Administration, and many were witnessing their efforts to uphold a more just and equitable society being dismantled nearly overnight. In planning this conference, we determined that it was essential to turn to the elders of the ICCR community. We were eager to know how they kept the fire going through distressing times. How had they persevered through the ups and downs of political regime changes?
 
The session was dubbed a “Fireside Chat with ICCR Elders”. As it began, Sister Barbara Aires, Steven Heim, Fr Séamus Finn, OMI and Bill Somplatsky-Jarman (SJ), who had collectively served the ICCR community for over 140 years, started sharing their stories.
 
One of the recurring themes was about the power of persistence. Both Steven and Sister Barbara shared stories of their unwavering determination, such as calling corporate offices on a daily or weekly basis.
 
READ FULL ARTICLE: https://www.iccr.org/keep-the-fire-going/
 
WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://bit.ly/3R0BuyT
 
 

Fr. Séamus Finn, OMI Gives Lecture on the “Ethics of Finance” at Stanford University October 30th, 2024

By. Fr. Séamus Finn, OMI, Director, JPIC & Chief Faith Consistent Investing – OIP Trust 

Clergy wearing black robe University buildings

[On October 28th, OMI USA JPIC Director, Fr. Séamus Finn, OMI lectured students on ethics and finance during a course at Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA]

The course- MS&E 148: Ethics of Finance – Explores the ethical reasoning needed to make banking, insurance and financial services safer, fairer and more positively impactful and fit for purpose in the 21st Century. This also follows the movement from shareholder to stakeholder capitalism.

The presentation explored the religious and philosophical roots of ethical practice in finance and banking and discussed particular challenges that individual countries and other major institutions operating in a global financial system face.

In addition, the presentation focused on responsibilities of shareholders in a capitalist system and how that has evolved in recent years to discussions about stakeholder capitalism and the absence of environment, workers and local communities as major stakeholders in the system.

The presentation concluded with a robust discussion on how corporate retail shareholders can be more active in exercising their ownership and integrating their beliefs and values into the decision-making process. This, of course, includes engaging corporate leaders either through proxy votes or attending their annual general meetings.

The 50-year Legacy of the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility (ICCR) in this arena was an important part of my presentation.

 


Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility’ Hosts “Navigating Troubled Waters” September 23rd, 2024

On September 19, Frs. Daniel LeBlanc, OMI and Valentine Talang, OMI joined stakeholders and thought leaders in New York City at Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility’s (ICCR) Annual Conference Event – “Navigating Troubled Waters.”

Corporations play an important role in supporting the resilient and vibrant democracy needed to sustain healthy civic engagement, accountable governance, and a stable economy where business can thrive. However, in today’s politically charged landscape, corporations often face significant challenges navigating their support for democratic values without appearing partisan or becoming entangled in controversy. 

In the lead-up to the U.S. elections, the group convened to discuss how corporations can best exemplify good corporate citizenship without furthering the divisiveness of our national discourse.

Visit ICCR’s website to learn more about their work

 

 

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