The Church | The Pope and the CEO

Economy of Communion

33BTU5RJ8NHU – A couple of weeks ago, a conference was held in Nairobi, Kenya at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa to discuss the Economy of Communion model conceived by Chiara Lubich and developed by the Focolare movement. The Economy of Communion is a model in which businesses put their profits in common for the benefit of their community. It’s a relatively decentralized operation, with each community establishing this “culture of giving” first on the local level, and then moving out to the regional, national, and finally international. Economy of Communion (EoC) was conceived in Brazil in 1991 by Chiara Lubich, the founder of the Focolare movement. Existing businesses in Brazil began to either convert to the EoC model, and new businesses were created to participate in this plan. In the twenty years since its initiation, EoC has expanded throughout the globe. Pope Benedict XVI saw EoC as an initiative with promise, and mentioned it as such in his 2009 social encyclical “Caritas in Veritate.” EoC is still gaining traction in Africa, and the goal of the conference held in Nairobi was to promote the “culture of giving” in which EoC engages. Entrepreneurs and business owners gathered together to discuss… Read more
Christian Humanism in Business and Management Part 4

This is the last in a series of installments that together constitute the text for an address delivered by Bishop Javier Echevarría, Prelate of Opus Dei to inaugurate the 15th International Symposium on Ethics, Business and Society on May 16, 2008 on the campus of IESE in Barcelona. The address is titled “Christian Humanism in Business and Management.” The full text can also be found here. Christian Humanism in the Business Leader Christian Humanism goes beyond this structural dimension in management. It must, above all, make an impact on people. I am referring now to those who create and manage companies. Their task requires education, experience, technical skills and — last but not least — the exercise of virtue. The Christian faith teaches everyone the path to these good operational habits and their exercise. In all honesty, it can be said to teach especially those who hold managerial positions. The virtues enrich them not only as persons but also as managers. In this context the exercise of these human virtues (which in Christians are all guided by charity) takes on great importance. I will limit myself to a brief consideration of the need to love and serve others. Caring for… Read more
Christian Humanism in Business and Management Part 3

This is the third in a series of installments that together constitute the text for an address delivered by Bishop Javier Echevarría, Prelate of Opus Dei to inaugurate the 15th International Symposium on Ethics, Business and Society on May 16, 2008 on the campus of IESE in Barcelona. The address is titled “Christian Humanism in Business and Management.” The full text can also be found here. Christian Humanism in Business Let us now consider humanism in business administration. As in any human activity of governance, in this field there is a certain underlying vision of the person, of the company itself and of its mission in society. By offering an elevated concept of human beings, Christian Humanism, beyond being a good fit with business administration, lends a truly humanizing perspective that is intent on serving others and broadening horizons. This perspective includes specific principles and moral norms, but ultimately the main point of reference is the works and teachings of Jesus Christ. He stands before us as our living, permanent example, as the essential norm of moral conduct. This is reflected very concretely in the commandment to love our neighbors, for which Jesus himself serves as example and measure (cf.… Read more
Christian Humanism in Business and Management Part 2

This is the second in a series of installments that together constitute the text for an address delivered by Bishop Javier Echevarría, Prelate of Opus Dei to inaugurate the 15th International Symposium on Ethics, Business and Society on May 16, 2008 on the campus of IESE in Barcelona. The address is titled “Christian Humanism in Business and Management.” The full text can also be found here. Christ, the Measure of True Humanism As Christians, we have a clear point of reference for acting justly and building human relationships. It is none other than our Lord Jesus Christ, the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6), the light of the world (John 8:12), the image of the invisible God (Col 1:15), who being in the form of God, made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men (Phil. 2:6-7). He is “perfect God and perfect man,” according to a first-century creed that Saint Josemaría liked to recall.5 Christ, while still being God, also became a man of flesh and bones through the Incarnation, and “he worked with the hands of a man, he thought with the intelligence… Read more
Christian Humanism in Business and Management Part 1

This is the first in a series of installments that together constitute the text for an address delivered by Bishop Javier Echevarría, Prelate of Opus Dei to inaugurate the 15th International Symposium on Ethics, Business and Society on May 16, 2008 on the campus of IESE in Barcelona. The address is titled “Christian Humanism in Business and Management.” The full text can also be found here. I provide this lecture here because I believe this is a thoroughly inspiring text that is well worth reading. Christian humanism is a topic of great interest to me and after reading this, hopefully to you as well. Christian Humanism in Business and Management I am delighted to be at IESE once again for the celebration of the school’s 50th anniversary. I personally witnessed Saint Josemaría Escrivá de Balaguer’s interest and perseverance in fostering its first steps and development. I give thanks to God for its achievements thus far and ask him to continue to bless IESE as it carries out the mission entrusted to it by Saint Josemaría. I have been requested to address the topic of Christian Humanism in this International Symposium on Ethics, Business and Society, which focuses on the quest… Read more
Decision Making Help from the Catholic Social Doctrine Principles

The Teaching of the Catholic Church on Social Issues are in line with some basic principles that the Church formulated over the centuries. These themselves are very useful to know/remember in approaching any decision we have to make. I find they have a way to hep me see the forest for the trees in daily decision making. Check them out and see for yourself: Principle of Solidarity: Recognizes that our action should reflect what Jacques Maritain calls “ civic friendship” – it holds that I exercise my freedom to the defense of others rights and the pursuit of the common good. Principle of Personalism: Recognizes the inalienable dignity and value of each human person. It holds that the right thinking about business starts with the individual human person. Principle of the Common Good: Recognizes that the common good is larger than my own advancement. It holds that I should exercise my rights so that they contribute to the general welfare of society, not simply my individual aggrandizement. Principle of Subsidiarity: This principle holds that each social entity must be given the freedom to fulfill its assigned tasks without a higher social entity taking over. Higher social entities must support and… Read more