Advertisement MissioICN Would you like to advertise on ICN? Click to learn more.

Archbishop sympathises with those facing ethical dilemmas in business


Archbishop John Foley president of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications, expressed his sympathy for laypeople working in the business world, under pressure to take decisions that could be unethical. Speaking at a meeting of the International Association of Jesuit Business Schools in Loyola, Spain, on Wednesday, he said how difficult the worlds of business and advertising can be, when people are "seduced" to make decisions that can adversely affect their families, those who have invested money in a company and those who work for it. Archbishop Foley recounted several personal experiences as a youth when he was forced to quit jobs because of unethical behaviour on the part of others, saying he mentioned these experiences to let the business school leaders "know I have lived the very ethical dilemmas and challenges in business which some of you perhaps have taught." He added: "I have always thought, what terrible dilemmas must be faced by married people with children in a tight job market who are asked to do something that is dishonest or, at least, open to ethical discussion - and who are fearful of questioning, of protesting or quitting, because they do not know where the next meal for themselves or their family might come from." Archbishop Foley mentioned the pontifical council's documents of recent years, in particular "Ethics in Advertising." He noted that advertising can sustain "honest and ethically responsible competition which contributes to economic growth, to the possibility of choice and to authentic human development." It "contributes to wider knowledge, lower prices and, usually, to more jobs" and to "promoting morally healthy activity, e.g.: safe driving, and it has even been used effectively for religious purposes." However, he said, there is harm when it leads people to believe that "having is more important than being." He urged those who advertise - be it products, ideas or people - to focus on three principles: Being is better than having; Each person must be treated with respect; Work for the common good." He concluded: "A growing concern in democratic societies is the ethical aspect of political campaigning" which can either "inform about candidates and issues" or "obstruct the democratic process" when high advertising costs attract only wealthy candidates or cause candidates to compromise principles and integrity in their search for funding. Source: VIS

Adverts

Catholic Women's League

We offer publicity space for Catholic groups/organisations. See our advertising page if you would like more information.

We Need Your Support

ICN aims to provide speedy and accurate news coverage of all subjects of interest to Catholics and the wider Christian community. As our audience increases - so do our costs. We need your help to continue this work.

You can support our journalism by advertising with us or donating to ICN.

Mobile Menu Toggle Icon