My India Times

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My India Times 2024-11-14 14

London Summit Explores Ethical Investment in Chris

A landmark summit in London brought together over 90 financial experts and church leaders, including Jean-Baptiste de Franssu, the president of the Vatican Bank, to explore how Christian organisations can ethically manage their investments, potentially worth up to $1.75 trillion. The focus of the gathering was on ensuring that these funds align with Christian teachings, promoting ethical practices while avoiding investments that contradict key moral values, such as those related to the sanctity of life, war, and pornography.

De Franssu, who calls for "turbocharging" the market, emphasized the importance of developing financial products that support the common good, such as efforts to combat poverty and protect the environment. The summit builds on the Vatican's 2022 guide, Mensuram Bonam (Of Good Measure), which urges Catholic institutions and individuals to invest ethically, ensuring their financial activities align with their faith values.

The event highlighted a growing interest in faith-consistent investing, especially following the success of Islamic finance, which is projected to reach $6.7 trillion by 2027 due to its adherence to Sharia law. The Christian community is keen to replicate this success by improving ethical standards in investment, offering a viable alternative to conventional finance models that often overlook moral considerations.

One significant challenge highlighted at the summit was the lack of awareness and dialogue among those responsible for managing church assets. De Franssu noted that many Catholic institutions were unaware of the limited number of investment funds aligned with church teachings, emphasizing the need for greater collaboration across the global Catholic community.

While the summit advocates for ethical investment practices, it also recognizes the diversity within the Christian world. Differences in beliefs and prioritiesâ€”such as the debate over nuclear energy between German and French bishopsâ€”underline the decentralized nature of financial decision-making within the church. De Franssu stressed the importance of each institution developing its own ethical policy based on its unique values, while still adhering to a common framework for discernment and reflection on investment decisions.

A key outcome of the summit was the announcement of a new educational initiative aimed at equipping those responsible for managing church investments with the financial knowledge needed to make informed ethical decisions. This program, launching at the College des Bernardins in Paris, will be rolled out globally, helping individuals within religious orders better understand finance and apply ethical criteria to their investments.

As Christian organisations increasingly seek ways to manage their assets in accordance with their faith, this summit marks a pivotal moment in the effort to align financial practices with Christian values, offering a model for other religious communities to follow.

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My India Times 2024-11-14 9

Islamophobia Awareness Month: Tackling Hate and Pr

Islamophobia has emerged as one of the most pervasive forms of hate crime in the UK, with Muslims disproportionately targeted, according to the latest figures from the Home Office. In the year ending March, 38% of all hate crimes against religious groups were directed at Muslims. This alarming statistic comes in the wake of troubling incidents such as the far-right riots in the summer, which were fueled by false rumors about a Muslimâ€™s involvement in the tragic deaths of three girls in Southport. The police have suggested that the ongoing conflict in Gaza has also exacerbated anti-Muslim sentiment across the country.

In response to the surge in Islamophobic incidents, Islamophobia Awareness Month (IAM) has returned this November with a renewed focus on everyday actions that individuals can take to combat the discrimination Muslims face. The IAM initiative, established in 2012, aims to raise awareness about anti-Muslim hate and promote greater inclusion in society. The theme for this yearâ€™s campaign, "Seeds of Change," highlights the importance of small, everyday acts of kindness and advocacy that can contribute to larger societal shifts.

A spokesperson for IAM emphasized that even seemingly minor actionsâ€”such as asking a Muslim friend about their experiences, offering a friendly smile, or calling out Islamophobic remarksâ€”can have a significant impact. They stressed that Islamophobia is not just a Muslim problem but a broader societal issue that affects everyone.

Dr. Tarek Younis, a clinical psychologist at Middlesex University, underscored the importance of understanding Islamophobia through a broader lens. He explained that Muslims are often unfairly scrutinized, with their political views and actions being overly scrutinized under the suspicion of radicalization. He urged the need for a broader understanding of Muslims as individuals with diverse experiences, rather than as a monolithic group expected to adhere to an idealized version of what it means to be Muslim.

Dr. Younis, who works on projects such as Healing Justice London to support those affected by Islamophobia within the mental health and criminal justice systems, highlighted the profound anxiety experienced by many Muslims who are impacted by discrimination. He advocated for building solidarity and support networks, encouraging individuals to reach out and find communal spaces to share their struggles and experiences.

As the world continues to grapple with rising Islamophobia, Islamophobia Awareness Month serves as a crucial reminder that small acts of kindness and advocacy can lead to a more inclusive and equitable society for all.

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My India Times 2024-11-14 12

Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby Resigns Amid

In a stunning development that has sent shockwaves through the Church of England, Archbishop Justin Welby has resigned following the release of the Makin report, which exposed the horrific abuse of young boys by barrister John Smyth and the Churchâ€™s failure to take appropriate action.

The Makin report reveals the shocking abuse that took place at Christian summer camps run by the Iwerne Trust during the 1970s and 1980s, where Smyth systematically groomed young boys, subjected them to violent beatings, and covered up the crimes within the church for decades. It was also revealed that Welby himself attended these camps as a young man. Despite knowledge of the abuse dating back to the early 1980s, the church failed to intervene, and Smyth was never brought to justice before his death in 2018.

In an emotional statement, Justin Welby expressed deep shame and acknowledged both personal and institutional responsibility for the church's failure to act on the abuse. He recognized the profound impact of these safeguarding failures, which have marred the reputation of the Church of England. Welbyâ€™s decision to step down is without precedent and has been described as a "seismic shock" to the church, which is already grappling with its handling of abuse allegations within its ranks.

The revelation has sparked intense debate and further scrutiny of the Churchâ€™s response to allegations of abuse, with many calling for greater accountability and reform within its leadership. The resignation of such a prominent figure is seen as a direct consequence of the findings in the Makin report and a symbolic attempt to take responsibility for the years of neglect and harm caused by the Church's failure to act.

As Welby steps down, questions remain about the wider impact of the scandal on the Church of England and its future direction. The resignation is expected to prompt further calls for a reckoning within the church as it seeks to restore trust and address the systemic failures revealed by the abuse scandal.

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My India Times 2024-11-14 11

Catholic Bishops Urged to Boldly Share Church Teac

At the U.S. Catholic Bishops' annual fall meeting, a call was made for a renewed commitment to share the church's teachings, especially on controversial and hot-button issues such as abortion, euthanasia, surrogacy, and gender-affirming surgery. Several bishops emphasized the importance of speaking boldly about these teachings, even in the face of societal pressures and opposing views.

Bishop Robert Barron, the influential leader of the Winona-Rochester diocese in Minnesota, addressed the bishops with a direct message: â€œWe have been too apologetic for too long,â€ he said, underscoring the need for the church to stand firm on its principles. Bishop Barron, known for his media-savvy approach, emphasized that the church should not be intimidated by celebrities or cultural figures who espouse beliefs contrary to Catholic doctrine.

The remarks were made in the context of a presentation on the Vaticanâ€™s "Dignitas Infinita" document, released in April. The declaration clarifies the Catholic Churchâ€™s stance on the inherent dignity of every human being, advocating for the protection of life from conception to natural death. This includes a strong condemnation of abortion, euthanasia, and certain practices like surrogacy and gender-affirming surgery.

Bishop Barron praised the declaration for its ability to speak with a distinctively Catholic voice that transcends political divides. â€œIt is not Democratic or Republican, liberal or conservative,â€ he said, stressing that the teachings laid out in â€œDignitas Infinitaâ€ focus on universal values of life and dignity.

The call for bishops to share these teachings comes at a time when society is increasingly divided on issues such as abortion and gender identity, with many advocating for more progressive stances. However, the church continues to stand by its traditional views, encouraging its leaders to uphold and promote these teachings regardless of their unpopularity in mainstream culture.

As the bishops discussed the practical application of â€œDignitas Infinitaâ€ in American society, the hope is that Catholic leaders will find new ways to communicate these timeless teachings, ensuring they resonate with the faithful while challenging the broader cultural trends that conflict with Catholic doctrine.

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