G20: Churches say no to business as usual

Leading figures from thirteen British churches have joined forces to tell the Prime Minister and G20 leaders that they must rethink global economic structures as they discuss their responses to the global economic crisis in London this week.

The leaders, including Reverend Ifan Roberts, General Secretary of the Presbyterian Chruch of Wales, have co-signed a submission which has been sent to the Prime Minister.

Reverend Roberts said: “We as churches have had a chance to reflect theologically and practically on the causes and impacts of the global economic crisis over the past few months, and we feel that we have an important contribution to make to the debate.

“Our submission is based on the principle that the collapse of markets over recent months has been caused by moral failure. As such, the crisis requires a moral response. We reject any solution that is based on the principle of ‘business as usual’, as that would mean a return to unethical economic and business practices.

"Instead, we offer what we consider to be core ethical principles that will help reshape economic relationships in a world increasingly driven by greed, inequality, misuse of resources and injustice. These include the principles of sustainability, accountability, solidarity and social justice – principles that reflect our concern for the common good of all mankind.

“World leaders have committed to improving the lives of the world’s poor. For reasons of justice and simple human decency it is crucial that we do not let the poor down at a time when they are facing great economic difficulties brought on by the immoral behaviour of individuals in Western countries.

“We as the Presbyterian Church of Wales pray for the success of this week’s talks. We’re proud to be joining others from all over Britain and Ireland to say that, on the basis of faith, there is an alternative way to restructuring the world economy.”