The Most Rev David Chillingworth, Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church comments and ‘Reflections and Resources’ compiled by the C of E’s Archbishops’ Council on Mission and Public Affairs follow:
The Occupy Movement which has arisen in cities across the world is a sign of the deep impact of the continuing economic crisis, says The Most Rev David Chillingworth, Bishop of St Andrews, Dunkeld & Dunblane and Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church.
The Most Rev David Chillingworth said yesterday, “The Occupy Movement has the potential to become a ‘people movement’ which challenges our society to debate and explore the values on which our future economic life will be built. There is a widespread feeling that issues regarding the banking and financial sector have not yet been firmly or adequately addressed by governments. The concern of churches with these issues is rooted in the teaching of Jesus. We believe that we are called to be concerned for the poor and to seek just treatment for those who are most vulnerable in hard economic times.
“The Scottish Episcopal Church has an ethical investment policy. In respect of our church’s own relationship with the banking and financial sectors, our Church in Society committee is currently exploring issues of ethical banking.”
Reflections and Resources compiled by Mission and Public Affairs, Archbishops’ Council November 2011
The recent events surrounding the Occupy protest camp in the City of London, and its impact on the life of St Paul’s Cathedral, has led to many sharp questions about the Church of England’s view of capitalism and about how Christian ethics engages with economic issues.
To ask whether the church is for or against capitalism is to pose the question too starkly – there are many capitalisms and a number of ways to analyse it theologically. We offer here some preliminary thoughts to guide ethical and theological reflection and suggest a number of books which can help in taking the question forward. The writers noted here do not all agree with each other, yet each is seeking to relate Christian thinking to complex phenomenon that is capitalism.
The full document includes reflections on:
• What is capitalism?
• Morality and law come first; Capitalism and the State
• Risks and Rewards
• Alternatives to capitalism; Economics and models of society
• Theology and economics; The Church and Capitalism Today
• The range of Christian views on capitalism
• A Critique of Capitalism for Today
• The Bible and Wealth
Resources in the document include lists or links on:
• Books which explore the encounter between Christian theology and economic issues in depth.
• Recent CofE reports and comments on the Financial Crisis including contributions by the Archbishop of Canterbury and a General Synod debate
• Books providing an overview of theology and economics
• Theologians in favour of capitalism
• Theological Critiques of Capitalism
• Theology and money
• The Church of England and Economics
Dr Philip Giddings, Chair and Revd Dr Malcolm Brown, Director – Mission and Public Affairs Division
The full document is downloadable at:
http://www.churchofengland.org/media-centre/news/2011/11/the-church-and-capitalism.aspx