Understanding Mensuram Bonam: Investing Within a Catholic Social Teaching Framework

By

Daniel R. Catone

on

11.8.2024

Investing can be a powerful tool for achieving financial growth and supporting values that matter to you. For those guided by Catholic social teaching (CST), Mensuram Bonam offers a framework to ensure investments align with faith-based ethical principles. If you're new to investing within a CST framework, here's what you need to know about Mensuram Bonam and how it can help guide your financial decisions.

What is Mensuram Bonam

Mensuram Bonam, a Latin term meaning "good measure," is a comprehensive set of ethical guidelines for Catholic investors. It was introduced by the Vatican to provide a clear framework for investing in a manner consistent with CST. The guidelines aim to help investors make choices that not only yield financial returns but also promote human dignity, social justice, and the common good.

To understand Mensuram Bonam, it's essential to grasp the core principles of CST. These principles include:

  1. Dignity of the Human Person: Every person is valuable and worthy of respect from conception to natural death.
  2. Common Good: The well-being of all people, not just individual prosperity, should be a priority.
  3. Solidarity: We are one human family, and we must support one another, especially the poor and vulnerable.
  4. Subsidiarity: Decisions should be made at the most local level possible, respecting the capabilities and autonomy of individuals and communities.
  5. Stewardship of Creation: We are responsible for caring for the environment and the resources entrusted to us.

Mensuram Bonam translates these CST principles into practical investment guidelines. Here’s how it works:

  1. Screening Out Harmful Investments: The guidelines advise against investing in companies involved in practices that contradict CST, such as abortion, human cloning, and weapons production. This aligns with the principle of upholding the dignity of human life.
  2. Positive Impact Investing: Mensuram Bonam encourages investments in companies and projects that contribute positively to society. This includes businesses that promote clean energy, affordable housing, healthcare, and education, reflecting the commitment to the common good and stewardship of creation.
  3. Corporate Engagement: Investors are encouraged to actively engage with companies they invest in to promote ethical practices. This could involve voting on shareholder resolutions or participating in dialogues with corporate management about social and environmental issues.
  4. Transparency and Accountability: The guidelines emphasize the importance of transparency in investment processes and the need for accountability to ensure that investments genuinely reflect Catholic values.

Investing according to Mensuram Bonam offers several benefits:

  1. Ethical Integrity: Ensures that your investments align with your faith and moral values.
  2. Positive Social Impact: Supports businesses and initiatives that contribute to societal well-being.
  3. Financial Performance: Ethical investments can be financially rewarding, as many socially responsible companies are also strong performers.

If you're new to investing within a CST framework, start by evaluating your current investments and identifying any that may not align with Mensuram Bonam. Consider working with an investment advisor who understands these guidelines and can help you build a portfolio that reflects your values. Additionally, resources like Arimathea Investing can provide a free analysis of your investments to help you discover how your portfolio may be funding practices contrary to CST, such as abortion travel, environmental harm, and other unethical activities.

Visit Arimathea at www.arimatheainvesting.com for a free analysis of your investments and discover how your portfolio may be funding activities contrary to Catholic social teaching, such as abortion travel, environmental harm, and other unethical practices. Partner with us to ensure your investments align with Catholic social teaching and uphold the sanctity of life and the common good.

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