Produced by The Maryknoll Affiliate Global Concerns Committee
Updated April 2009
As citizens of the planet earth, and in light of our Maryknoll Affiliate Covenant and the Earth Charter (www.earthcharterinaction.org/), we are challenged to consider our individual and collective values and lifestyles. As requested by Affiliates at the August 2002 Maryknoll Affiliates Conference, the Affiliate Global Concerns Committee along with help from other Maryknollers, put together a short resource guide containing information pertinent to socially responsible living, a topic that, among other things, includes shopping, consuming, energy and financial management. The question comes down to, “How does one maintain a moral vision in the midst of economic decisions?”
The great overall challenge is to remain faithful to God while being responsible stewards in our utilization of the gifts of creation. Humans in all corners of the globe have debated this for thousands of years. Our Maryknoll roots, being found in Christian tradition, take us to the Old and New Testaments where there are abundant references to economic life, possessions, poverty, the use of ones gifts. These topics, central to many of the gospel stories, were poignantly discussed in detail in “Economic Justice for All,” the U.S. Catholic Bishops’ pastoral letter on the U.S. economy. They explain that as we shape and mold economic situations they do the same to us. That interaction can be a source of hope or despair, and even determine whether people live or die. Fundamental beliefs concerning one’s values and the purpose of life are the precious underpinnings guiding our economic decisions, and this becomes all the more complicated in a globalization process ruled by large corporations.
That said, it can be difficult and frustrating to try to sort out the numerous pieces in this gigantic puzzle, but many wonderful people have created resources to help supply us with the information necessary to simplify the processes needed for informed decision making and stimulate us to ask the pertinent questions. You may want to begin with our very own Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns (http://www.maryknollogc.org/) and the US Catholic Bishops’ Environmental Justice Program (www.usccb.org/sdwp/ejp/) before checking out some of these other sources.
The following is not meant to be an exhaustive list of resources but instead can serve as a point from which to work to further inform one’s conscience and reinforce the habit of critical thinking so necessary to this endeavor. If you have any additions or suggestions, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
You may 
download a PDF version here (1.25 MB).
