Introduction

Socially responsible investing (SRI) is an effective tool for creating social change. It is often used by faith-based investors to bring ethical principles to the halls of power. Learn the history, approaches, and methods of SRI from two veterans of the practice.

 

Our guests

Steve Zelinski is President and Senior Consultant/Analyst for ViaGem, LLC, a Registered Investment Advisor (IA). Since graduating from St. Louis University, he has devoted his professional career to serving the specialized needs of religious institutes, churches, and other mission/faith-based organizations around the world. He has served as the consultant for the Dominican Sisters of Springfield since the 1980s. 

Sister Marcelline Koch has directed justice initiatives for the Dominican Sisters of Springfield since 2010. She oversees the Dominican Sisters’ socially responsible investing portfolio, which includes screening out investments that violate the principles of Catholic Social Teaching and engaging in stockholder action to challenge corporations to improve their ethics practices.

 

Our host

Sister Beth Murphy, OP, is director of communication for the Dominican Sisters of Springfield. 

 

Takeaways

• Socially responsible investing is a centuries-old practice, manifested in the 20th century largely by institutional investors. 

• Catholic Social Teaching is foundational for faith-based investors 

• It is possible to do good and do well with your investing. 

• Ethical, sustainable investing mitigates risk 

 

Resources

Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility  https://www.iccr.org/  

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Socially Responsible Investment Guidelines.  https://www.usccb.org/resources/socially-responsible-investment-guidelines-2021-united-states-conference-catholic-bishops 

Faith-consistent investing https://www.iccr.org/faith-consistent-investing-statement/ 

Edinburgh Finance Declaration: An interfaith shared values framework on ethical finance. https://www.globalethicalfinance.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Edinburgh-Finance-Declaration-Overview.pdf