A number of religious orders have recently joined a global pledge to divest from fossil fuel investments. Some of these orders include the Jesuits in Canada; SSM Health in the USA; the Salesian Sisters of Don Bosco – Daughters of Mary Help of Christians in Italy; the Presentation Society of Australia and Papua New Guinea, and the Missionary Society of St Columban, who are involved in ministry in Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and several other countries.
It is reported that the Global Catholic Climate Movement has as one of its major priorities encouraging Catholic fossil fuel divestment and reinvestment in low carbon climate solutions. This ‘Divest-Reinvest’ initiative is expected to lead to a significant increase in the number of Catholic organisations changing their investment practices.
Since the release of Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si, all Catholic communities and organisations are sensing a new and urgent call to reconsider their commitment to care for planet Earth. Examining the use of all our resources, including our investments, is one very practical way of expressing one’s commitment to ecological and social justice.
