What would Jesus do to Reform Capitalism?

Dear Friends,

It's a public holiday across most of Australia today — to celebrate Queen Elizabeth's birthday. (For those who have forgotten, or may not be aware, she is head of our nation.) So that I can take a bit of a break, rather than bringing you our own commentary today I would like to direct your attention to a few provocative commentaries and articles in other places. Perhaps surprisingly, I am indebted to a business commentator, Ross Gittins (Economics Editor of the Sydney Morning Herald), for drawing this subject to our attention. His commentary in today's Sydney Morning Herald is a good starting point for a summary of the ideas of Dr Michael Schluter who argues cogently that Capitalism is heading for an almighty fall unless we collectively re-think our ways. Dr Schluter as a former economic consultant for the World Bank and research fellow for the International Food Policy Research Institute has some credentials to argue that if we (the world generally) continues on the way we are going a lot of people are going to get hurt. In what I am about to introduce to you there is rich material for an extended discussion on Catholica. It's probably one of the most valuable investments of your time you could make given the challenges ahead of us collectively in the global economy. (In Friday's press George Soros was warning we're about to hit phase II of the Global Economic Crisis.)

In broad terms what Dr Michael Schluter argues is that if the world is to return to a more even keel economically we ought pay greater attention to the economic teachings of Jesus — or should I say, the "relational teachings" of Jesus.

Could I extend further thanks for the financial support we have received here at Catholica over the weekend. In ways far exceeding the value of the money involved we feel enormously strengthened and heartened by your gestures of support.

Here are the links to a gold mine of information that might be extremely valuable for your future economic and personal security...

<Ross Gittins' into to Dr Michael Schluter: "What would Jesus do about economic growth?"...>
www.smh.com.au/business/what-would-jesus-do-about-economic-growth-20100613-y61b.html?rand=1276437322658

<Dr Michael Schluter's paper: "Beyond Capitalism: Towards a Relational Economy"...>
www.jubilee-centre.org/document.php?id=346

<George Soros' warning last Friday: "Financial crisis is 'far from over'"...>
www.smh.com.au/business/financial-crisis-is-far-from-over-20100611-y3i9.html

<George Soros issues stark economic warning (15 April)...>
www.smh.com.au/business/george-soros-issues-stark-economic-warning-20100415-seyy.html

<Starter thread on the Catholica Forum for our own discussion on all of this...>
www.catholica.com.au/forum/index.php?id=50302

Wishing you a great day wherever you happen to be ... in life and in our world.

Brian Coyne
Editor and Publisher

Catholica
34 Martin Place, LINDEN NSW 2778, Australia
tel: +612 4753 1226
email: editor@catholica.com.au