What’s next: Catholic Joint Divestment Announcement on May 5 What I say to you in the darkness, speak in the light; what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. Mt 10,27
PLEASE, READ IN SILENCE “Let us open our eyes, then, and see the misery of the world, the wounds of our brothers and sisters who are denied their dignity, and let us recognize that we are compelled to heed their cry for help!” (Bull of Indiction of the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy, Misericordiae Vultus, 15).
“Rabbi, I want to see.” .
DIVEST it is a way to respond with determination to the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor and to do it Together
THE CLIMATE CRISIS IS WORSENING DRAMATICALLY “We need only take a frank look at the facts to see that our common home is falling into serious disrepair.” (Laudato Si’, #61)
“We know that technology based on the use of highly polluting fossil fuels needs to be progressively replaced without delay.” (Laudato Si’, #165)
"Put an end to the fossil fuel era... and provide affordable, reliable and safe renewable energy access for all” – Catholic Bishops from all continents, COP21 Statement
Wh Why di divestment? tment? • Divestment: strategy whereby investors move their money out of corporations engaged in pollutant industry “There is an urgent need to develop policies so that, in the next few years, the emission of carbon dioxide and other highly polluting gases can be drastically reduced, for example, substituting for fossil fuels and developing sources of renewable energy.” (Laudato Si #26) • Divestment is an important tool in exerting pressure on world leader about global warming. Is also a way to redefine society’s moral code , delegitimizing the target industry and creating a moral turning point within society The failure of global summits on the environment make it plain that our politics are subject to technology and finance. There are too many special interests, and economic interests easily end up trumping the common good and manipulating information so that their own plans will not be affected.” (Laudato Si Para. 54) • Attention to the way money is being invested: NOT in practices that are degrading our planet. “We know that technology based on the use of highly polluting fossil fuels – especially coal, but also oil and, to a lesser degree, gas – needs to be progressively replaced without delay. …. Politics and business have been slow to react in a way commensurate with the urgency of the challenges facing our world.” (Laudato Si #165)
5th May 2017 Divestment Announcement We encourage Catholic institution to announce its divestment commitments together as joint announcements on key dates, to increase the visibility of the cause. While the ethical integrity being shown by these decisions has intrinsic value, much of the beneficial impact is in the prophetic message such decisions send to the broader society . Making such decisions public progresses them from the sphere of private morality to the prophetic.
The first joint announcement took place on June 2016 at the anniversary of the release of Laudato Si’ .
The second one took place on October 4th, 2016 (Feast of St Francis of Assisi).
MAKE A COMMITMENT for 5th May Divestment Announcement “Columbans have a long history of commitment to caring for the Earth as part of our missionary identity. We see our Socially and Environmentally Responsible Investment policy as an important expression of that commitment and therefore are exploring ways to direct our investments towards funds which respond positively to our issue priorities such as renewable energy, community-based microenterprise, and peace initiatives. ” Fr. Kevin O’Neill, Columban Superior General.
5 FIVE YEARS TO DIVEST COMPLETELY organizations that commit to divest can complete the divestment process in five years to be a fossil free organization. Letting the world know about the decision does not need to wait until it is on the way to being implemented. It can happen as early as when the resolution is passed
Let’s talk about! Available for in person or remote meetings to share the divestment guidelines and for further clarifications. Cecilia Dall’Oglio , Laudato Si’ Programs Coordinator at GCCM cecilia@catholicclimatemovement.global Giulia D’Agata , GCCM Volunteer
DIVEST IS the rudder movement required to tack on a sailing boat and changing the boat course Thanks Cecilia
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