The message from St Paul’s Cathedral

Recent events in London and New York have shown that there is a growing movement, still in its embryonic stages, in the western world clamouring for a new social order. It seems to profess a post-Marxist doctrine, compatible with a free marketing mechanism. This follows as a consequence of the prevailing global financial disasters attributed to irresponsible predatory capitalism.

...these protests present a ‘wake-up’ call, a time for reflection for everyone...- Lino Bugeja

It is very disturbing for the layman, myself included, that there has been very little mature discussion on this highly topical issue. Is this a deliberate at-tempt to downplay the implications of the protests in front of

St Paul’s Cathedral near the London Stock Exchange and the protesters in New York’s Wall Street?

In my opinion, these protests present a “wake-up” call, a time for reflection for everyone, not only for the political classes. It is also a daunting challenge for the Church and for business.

It is felt that, in the prevailing circumstances, it is incumbent on our administrators in every relevant field to illuminate the populace on the significance of the present global financial crisis.

Many distinguished international sociologists and economists predicted many of the dramatic changes the world is now facing in the wake of a post-industrial society.

But what does this sharp shift away from extreme and soulless capitalism mean?

Twenty years ago, benevolent capitalism as an economic theory seemed more fashionable than ever.

In fact, governments of diverse political affinity began to recognise or appreciate once again the fact that moderate profit motives and market selections were more successful in creating wealth than tight economic planning. At least this is the perception of the uninformed as capitalism plummeted down from its zenith in the late 1980s to its nadir in the early 21st century.

We have been told that the protesters on St Paul’s Cathedral parvis in London are not affiliated to any communist or anarchist movement and that theirs is a spontaneous populist expression totally divorced from any political motives.

Their message seems to convey a stark warning that the unlimited greed of the very rich corporations and businesses has compelled many governments to postpone or curtail social services and scale down the labour force.

They seek to genuinely connect the financial with the ethical, implying a new form of capitalism with a human face.

It was by sheer happy coincidence that the London protesters pitched their 150 tents in front of the historic St Paul’s Cathedral as their intention was to encamp at the Temple (of Mammon) in the precints of the London Stock Exchange but landed up near the Temple of God.

In the circumstances, the Church authorities had to intervene and two massive rows of policemen lined up on the cathedral steps, the doors of the church were closed and orders were given for the camps to be forcibly removed.

Immediately, the former Archbishop of Canterbury intervened and condemned this negative attitude while St Paul’s Cathedral’s authorities suspended legal action against the protesters camped there.

The present Archbishop of Canterbury grabbed the opportunity to take centre stage in favour of the protesters.

This massive support may rebut innuendos against the Anglican Church insinuating complicity with “ the sham rituals of London’s pursuit of greed” and a Church too obsessed with pomp and circumstance.

St Paul’s Cathedral went one step further: it commissioned a detailed report on banking ethics issued by Market Research Co. on November 7.

In this day and age, the Anglican Church, in standing four-square with the protesters, has presented a role model for other institutions to follow.