The Current crisis in Ethics

Bruce Duncan CSsR

Given recent world events, the need for organisations like Social Policy Connections (SPC) is even more evident. Economic and social systems depend ultimately on the basic human values of honesty, trust, social equity and justice. Defending and articulating these values is the core business of SPC.

Consider the appalling consequences of the sub-prime lending practices in the USA, which continue to wreak havoc in financial and housing markets around the world. The crisis was entirely predictable, and many economists warned about it, but others in the financial markets were carried away by hubris and greed, and a complete collapse of ethical standards.

Economists call this 'moral hazard', when reckless lenders expect others (like the US government and international institutions) to bale them out instead of the lending institutions bearing the losses themselves. The sub-prime crisis is an example of free-market capitalism at its worst, and the failure of regulators to intervene in time. It was possible because of a widespread collapse in ethical standards.

Again, the war in Iraq was the foolish result of a cavalier rejection of the thinking behind the Just War tradition, so traditionally articulated by the churches, and particularly by Pope John Paul II. One grieves for the suffering inflicted on millions of people by the neo-conservative ideologues of the Bush Administration and their allies in the Blair and Howard governments. Should their decisions be considered as war crimes? Why do we not hold to account those who plunged us into this war? These are basically ethical questions about which we should have much to say.

 Further, the looming threat from global warming demonstrates that the concept of the common good is not vacuous: we are all in this together. But the poorest people are the first to suffer, especially as we see from rising prices of basic foods like rice and wheat.

Moreover, leading world economists have long insisted that we have the resources to eliminate the worst poverty and hunger, if we had the will. They have been appealing for years for the richer nations to support more vigorously the Millennium Development Goals to reduce global hunger and poverty. Yet many opportunities have been missed. Nevertheless, it is not simply a lack of ethical conviction in richer countries about sharing resources. We also need specialists to demonstrate how this can be done.

The churches have traditionally been among the main conduits and nurturers of compassion for those in distress, though many others draw their values from other wells. Social Policy Connections wishes to articulate the values inculcated in the Christian social traditions, and to expand the public conversation about how to improve human wellbeing. We are calling for a deeper ethical perspective, but one also benefiting from the professional expertise in our communities. We hope to encourage everyone, whatever their religious or secular views, to strive more intently for a better world.

Ed:  Thanks, Bruce, for giving permission to use this piece from the SPC newsletter.  Worth sharing!

 In Brief 

Who is wearing the Jilbab?

As noted in the last edition of A Little Yeast, I took part in the biennial plenary of the Pontifical Council for Culture during the first week in March. Of the 35 participants there was just a single woman. At the end of March I was in Jakarta for a meeing of theologians organised by the National Commission on Women's Rights - a semi-autonomous body set up by the Indonesian government ten years ago. The Commission has successfully lobbyed for cutting edge legislation on women's issues, including  violence against women. Anyhow, there were 34 of us - and of the 26 Muslim theologians 22 were women - extremely articulate in their human rights exegesis of the Qur'an. (Some were wearing the jilbab (veil) - very colourful they were, even rather sexy.) The five Protestant theologians were women. Of the three Catholic theologians present, Iswanti is a dynamic woman author working with an NGO, another an Indonesian Jesuit (Madya Utama, a pastoral theologian), the third yours truly.

I cannot get these two images out of my mind (heart?). One woman among 35 Catholics in Rome discussing issues of culture; just four men among 26 Muslim theologians in Jakarta reflecting upon women's issues. Rome is the centre of the Latin Church; Indonesia has the largest Muslim community in the world.

I have just arrived from Bangkok where I was the only non-bishop and non-woman present at a consultation of Asian bishops with 14 Asian women theologians. After years (since 2002) of effort by the Women's Desk of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences, just 10 of the thousands of Asian bishops finally agreed to attend. Such hesitation, such trepidation.

I keep asking myself: "Who is wearing the Jilbab? (veil)"

I think we have a problem.

John Mansford Prior svd

The Yarra Institute for Religion and Social Policy

We have also been busy putting in place more of the structure for the Yarra Institute for Religion and Social Policy, a research organisation within the Melbourne College of Divinity. Bruce Duncan has been appointed Director of the Institute which is being sited in the new graduate centre at Yarra Theological Union. The refurbishment of the centre will soon be complete, and we expect to move in within a month.  We look forward to welcoming you to the new centre soon.

We especially welcome on to the Establishment Committee of the Yarra Institute Dr Rowan Ireland, recently of La Trobe University and a well known specialist in the sociology of religion; and Drs Therese and Jim D'Orsa, also well known for their expertise and publications as educationalists, particularly in the context of advancing the mission of the churches. Dr Robyn Reynolds OLSH, with her extensive experience in indigenous issues, lectures at YTU and has also joined the original members of the committee: Rev Dr Stephen Ames, Dr Bruce Duncan CSsR and Dr Paul Rule.

New research project

The Melbourne College of Divinity has awarded research scholar funding to Bruce Duncan and Dr Joan Daw for a project on the relationship between faith, religious identity and social commitment. Joan recently completed her PhD at ACU National on the topic, 'The relationship between "the religious" and "the secular": the case of Australian Catholics'. Her thesis has been acclaimed as breaking new ground in religious sociology.

The new project at the Yarra Institute is entitled, "An investigation into the religious and non-religious factors associated with the engagement of youth in social justice activities". We intend it to be of special relevance for schools, parishes and social agencies in clarifying the links between religious belief and social commitment.

The Yarra Institute is currently planning further research projects relating religious belief and social involvement. We welcome suggestions for research, including definite proposals. We also intend to develop industry partnerships with social or church agencies.

The scope of our research work, publications and media commentary will depend in large part on securing adequate funding for the Institute, and especially to employ staff to manage projects and undertake research. Under the auspices of the Melbourne College of Divinity, and so of the national university system, the Yarra Institute enjoys Donor Gift Recipient (DGR) status, and hence is tax deductible. We welcome your financial support for this venture which aims to establish itself as a credible and informed voice on how the rich human values nurtured in the Christian traditions can contribute to social policy.

The Yarra Institute is also sharing responsibility for promoting and running social justice courses within the Melbourne College of Divinity, and specifically with the units offered at Yarra Theological Union. You may like to consult the YTU social justice offerings for the second semester at www.ytu.edu.au.

Peter Whiting, President, and Bruce Duncan  on behalf of the Board of Social Policy Connections

Social Policy Connections, PO Box 88, Richmond VIC 3121.  Phone: (03) 9428 0799. Email: spc.inc@optusnet.com.au.

Letter from Chicago  -  Peter Malone  writes:

A Spring in the step & at last!

Just as the Spring weather is about to take hold here in Chicago, it is time to leave! Locals describe the latest winter as one of the coldest and most deeply embedded in memory, with, so far, one (whole!) weekend, and about four individual days of warmth to date. It made me so sad to see the plethora of rain we had last Sunday (falling heaviest as we walked to and from Mass, of course!) just going to waste when it could have done so much good elsewhere.

So much for weather, now for politics! The general mood here is 'for Obama' & well, Chicago is his home town & but everyone seems just to want the long and drawn out campaign (for the Democratic party nomination, let alone the Presidential election) to be well and truly behind them.
And sport? not much of the real sporting world here! However, to appease the locals & and from a genuine curiosity, I went to Wrigley Field (oldest of its ilk in USA) to watch the Chicago Cubs v Arizona (baseball for the uninitiated!). Highlights of the afternoon: a home run was scored, at one stage 'all bases were loaded', and the Cubs won the game (3-1). Don't ever let an American deride Cricket as slow!!

Now for religion (covering all bases & to coin a local phrase!)  Sad to hear that Geoff Robinson is the latest prophet not accepted in his own country & and not to be welcomed in the USA if reports coming from Los Angeles are accurate. However, in the smaller world of CTU, our IRF formators program has finished here and we are about to embark on a two week retreat in Israel. Like Aloysius Rego before me I have nothing but praise to heap on the program, professors, participants and professionalism of the organisers. Any Congregations looking to form or upgrade their people would, I feel sure, do well to look to this program as an option.

A bonus for me was having Steve Bliss OFM here for most of 2008 (he was involved in the Hesburgh Sabbatical Program). Along with Daryl Moresco O.Carm (former student of YTU) and four other Aussies, we contributed a considerable cultural strength to the CTU world! Steve is (like any good Australian), slowly making his way back to Melbourne, to take up the reins of Guardian of the St Paschal's Community of Friars & and thereby assuming the mantle of the overlord of YTU!!

So, for me, it is good-bye Chicago, and on to the Holy Land. There the bonus feature will be to meet up with Mary Reaburn on her home turf, as it were, in Jerusalem round May 25.
I have been well informed (and grateful for it) through memos from Presidents, Deans, Registrars, Heads of Department, Development Officers and all & and from YTU newsletters & of what has transpired at YTU over the Semester, and pleased to see YTU has remained its vibrant self during my absence! The latest news & of Chris' appointment as President & a wonderful example of this.

Every good wish to everyone, and have a great semester break. I look forward to catching up with you all from mid August.

Philip    (Philip Malone MSC)

The Golden Years Project

It is not easy to get fifty or more people to turn out on a Sunday afternoon once a month for six months but the Golden Years Project at Newman College has achieved that. A grand plan was conceived last year, under the guidance of Greg Dening, who sadly died suddenly in February, to commemorate the late Fr Jerry Golden SJ who was chaplain to the Newman Society in Melbourne, and later in Sydney, in the 1950s and 1960s. The plan is to compile an archive of writings and recollections, and to hold a series of 'seminars' in which six or seven speakers present short papers and 'interventions' as well as a more extended reflection on some aspect of Fr Golden or the chaplaincy.  It is hoped that the papers may eventually be gathered as a book. 

So it is a bit like a school reunion but rather a special one, as many of the chaplaincy alumni went on to build distinguished careers in a great variety of fields, in engineering, medicine, law, politics, education. The combination of a certain nostalgia, late-life wisdom, hopes dashed and hopes raised, as well as appreciation for the special personality and talents of Jerry Golden at an important time in the Australian Church, is making for a rich mix.  Expect to hear more about the Golden Years.

Anne Margot Boyd

Seduced by Grace by Michael B Kelly.

Michael B Kelly is an internationally known writer, speaker and educator in the area of Christian spirituality and the gay experience. He has led retreats and spoken on these issues throughout Australia, in the United States and in Britain. He will be speaking on this subject at our May Bookroom evening.
Michael Kelly is a freelance writer, activist, counsellor and educator, known internationally for his ministry in spirituality, sexuality and human integration.

When: 29 May 2008 - 7.30pm for 8pm
Where: John Garratt Bookroom, 32 Glenvale Cres, MULGRAVE VIC 3170.

RSVP: sales@johngarratt.com.au or Phone 1300 650 878 by Wednesday 28 May 2008 for seating purposes & catering.

The City of Whitehorse is holding an exhibition, 'A Place to Call Home' to celebrate Refugee Week featuring works by Amer Rashad and Zokhai.
June 16-20 at the Box Hill Community Arts Centre, 470 Station Street, Box Hill.    Phone 9895 8888 for details.

Benedictine Studies Day.  Key aspects of a Benedictine way of life will be explored: life together, prayer, work, hospitality.
Presenters: Michael Casey ocso, Margaret Malone sgs, Hilda Scott osb, Pam Grey sgs.
Saturday 28 June & 10.00am-4.00pm.
Cost $20.00; Students:$15.  Registration by 24 June & phone 9752 6693 or email cpullen@hotkey.net.au

A very significant conference on 'Globalisation for the Common Good: an interfaith perspective' is being held in Melbourne 30 June - 4 July. This conference takes as its theme: 'From the Middle East to Asia Pacific: Arc of Conflict or Dialogue of Cultures & Religions', with many eminent speakers from Australia and overseas. A number of undergraduate scholarships are available. 

 

Theme: From the Middle East to Asia Pacific: Arc of Conflict or Dialogue of Cultures and Religions?  Issues to be explored include: The relationship between the three Abrahamic faiths, Islam and the West, The attitudes of Muslims in Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, Pakistan, India to events and issues in the Middle East, Handling of tensions since September 11, Debates within the Muslim work in relation to Islam's self understanding, The implications of these developments for Australia's relations with the region.

30 June - 4 July 2008
Trinity College, University of Melbourne  

For enquiries and further details, see  www.gcgmelbourne2008.info.

Seeking Former Students of YTU

If you have ever studied at Yarra Theological Union and would like to be on the YTU alumni/alumnae list please send us your contact details.  Email us at: admin@ytu.edu.au & writing "YTU contacts update" in the subject line & or write to us at P.O. Box 79, Box Hill, Vic. 3128. Please pass this on to any other ex-students you may know. We also invite you to visit our website www.ytu.edu.au