Archbishop Asks "Where is the Vision?" In Economic Crisis

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Delivering the Evangelical Alliance's Eighth Annual Temple Address at The Royal Society, London, Dr Sentamu said the current economic crisis posed fundamental questions for society:

"The woes of our current economic climate will bring many challenges over the coming years. Increasing redundancy, home repossessions and a recession will create an economic climate in which the economic givens of recent years can no longer be taken for granted. However alongside these challenges, will be opportunities for re-considering the purposes of our economic wealth.

"In the myriad of lessons which stand to be learned from the recent economic crises, one must surely be, what was the purpose of the wealth that was being generated during the recent decades beyond the increasingly rapacious consumerist appetite? Where is the greater vision that directs our frenzied economic activity?

"Can we as a country find a vision that can maintain a reason and purpose for our activity beyond avoiding the worst impacts of economic excess or slow down ? "

Dr. Sentamu suggested that the journey to answering such questions required further questioning of the ultimate aims of the fruits of a fully functioning economy:

"We need to see the economy as our servant and not our master. At a time when many of our banks are now in reality in public ownership, the time has come to ask again about the purposes of our wealth and how we might use it in service of a greater vision."

Quoting Archbishop William Temple, a former Archbishop of York and Canterbury, Dr. Sentamu said that:

"Maximum output is not a true end of human enterprise; the end is fullness of personality in community; nothing economic is a true end. Consequently all economic methods and structures must be subject to criticism on non-economic as well as economic grounds. On economic grounds they must be tested by the question whether they are fully efficient, or, in common speech, do they work?

And this question must be asked of any improvement of them proposed on humanitarian grounds. But the non-economic question must be kept in view: does this economic method or structure either help or hinder the development of persons in community?"

In proposing an answer to his questions, Dr. Sentamu argued for the need of any plans to be serious about the social and moral implications of economic recovery:

 "Arguments will continue to rage about the causes and origins behind the current economic crisis. The answers will be important in terms of learning lessons for the future, but for many more important still will be how we deal as a country with the situation in which we find ourselves.

"For me the road to recovery is a path not to riches but to service. It is rooted in the rediscovery of a vision to rebuild community in recognition of our duties to one another. Of standing ready to help our neighbour not only because they may be a victim of the recession, but because they are created in the likeness of God, and are an individual of infinite worth for who Christ died."

Dr Sentamu also called for mercy to be shown to those from Zimbabwe.  

Describing the country as "a land of death, starvation and brutality" the Archbishop said:                                                                                

"At a time when torture and inhuman treatment continues to be meted out to the people of Zimbabwe by a brutal Government that treats its citizens as stepping stones to political power, the need for mercy within our country's law is an imperative. We must show a better way.

"Some of those who have fled that country seeking safety and human dignity from such degradation have found their way to these shores seeking refuge. We could have done more in dealing with their applications more speedily. I do not understand why they cannot earn their keep while their long and laborious applications are being considered.  It is an appalling situation that has continued for far too long for a very large number of them."

For a full copy of the Archbishop's speech click here The Road to Recovery: Neighbourliness and Mercy, Community and Service

Media enquiries to the Evangelical Alliance or to do with the 'Don't be a Stranger Campaign' should be directed to Charis Gibson on 07917 050 126.

Migrants and Christians working with migrants and asylum seekers and leaders of the Council of Zimbabwean Christian Leaders in the UK will be available to comment, at the event, or through Charis Gibson.

The Evangelical Alliance 'Don't be a Stranger' campaign will be launched at the Temple Address. The campaign consists of a website  (www.nostrangers.org.uk), a photographic exhibition and a booklet. Members of the public are being asked to submit their own photographs and stories for the exhibition.

The 'Don't be a Stranger' campaign aims to inspire the British public to welcome outsiders, especially over the Christmas season, by telling positive stories where migrants have successfully been welcomed to Britain. The campaign aims to make resources available and gather further resources.