A047 Ethical Investments
Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring,
That the 79th General Convention reminds the Church that it is an ethical investor and that any investment return that is not obtained with due regard for the ethical and social positions of the Church risks undermining our values, and as the body of Christ in the world, we are called to seek to act in accordance with Christ's teachings including: promoting justice, making peace, loving our neighbors (including our enemies), and advocating for, supporting and serving the poor, the weak, and those oppressed or marginalized for any reason, because in so doing we are carrying out God’s mission in the world, reconciling all things to Christ; and be it further
Resolved, That a copy of this resolution be distributed to the Executive Council members and its Finance and Investment committees, and all diocesan treasurers to be shared with their diocesan finance committees and diocesan councils, diocesan congregations, and to the various institutions related to the Church that make investments in corporations such as the Church Pension Fund and that the resolution be discussed by all these entities and methods of implementation identified.
Explanation
The Church began monitoring its investments for ethical and social responsibility in 1971 when it filed the first ever shareholder resolution by a religious institution asking General Motors to leave South Africa until the racist system of apartheid was dismantled. That work has continued and expanded to include areas such as climate change, human rights globally, health care, immigration reform, gun safety, protection of indigenous peoples’ rights, corporate board diversity and human trafficking. The Church risks hypocrisy in its public witness for justice when its investments are not reviewed for ethical and social performance. This work is done ecumenically and inter-religiously.