London ‘shines a light’ on global corruption; Scottish Government challenged on ethical spending; 100 treasures book to mark diocesan centenary
London ‘shines a light’ on global corruption
People across London gathered on the steps of St Paul’s Cathedral earlier this week to ‘shine a light on corruption’.
The vigil marked the first event of the Exposed campaign’s week of action, which aims to highlight to effect of global corruption on the poor and speak out for honesty in financial dealings across the globe.
Lord Leslie Griffiths, a churchman and member of the House of Lords, highlighted the challenge facing not just the Government but the church and all people of faith.
He said: “Our job is to see that we overcome evil with good. We expose the evil for what it is and then set our targets for overcoming that evil.
“I believe that this campaign is part of an orchestrated effort on behalf of good-willed people around the world to see that we have the kind of world that God wants us to live in,” he added.
Christian businessman Ram Gidoomal said: “We need new models of ethical business … and ethical business can begin at school, as we encourage budding entrepreneurs to practise compassion and ethics.”
Those attending the vigil were asked to bring a form of light with them, including phones, candles and torches, so that they could symbolically ‘shine a light’ during the event.
Bishop Pete Broadbent led prayers as lights were shone across the cathedral steps, whilst the London Community Gospel Choir provided music.
Everyone attending also received an artificial $1 trillion note, representing the amount which is paid globally in bribes each year.
At the end of the event, people signed their individual notes before placing them in a ‘Bank of Integrity’.
These signatures will be added to the Exposed Global Call to End Corruption petition, which calls for open tax regimes and greater transparency in payments.
Scottish Government challenged on ethical spending
Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund (SCIAF) is urging the Scottish Government to ensure its £9bn budget for the provision of goods and services is spent ethically.
Over the coming months, the Scottish Parliament will be considering the Procurement Reform Bill, which will guide how departments, agencies and public bodies make spending decisions.
SCIAF is calling on the Scottish Government to make sure that ethical, social and environmental considerations, as well as value for money, are at the heart of the Bill.
The aid agency is demanding that the Bill include clear instructions not to use the services of unethical companies who avoid paying taxes at home and abroad. The Government’s spending should also be used to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve the lives of workers in Scotland and around the world, SCIAF said.
SCIAF is working on the campaign with a coalition of organisations, including the Scottish Trade Union Congress (STUC) and the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO).
Patrick Grady, SCIAF’s Advocacy Manager, said that the decisions made by British consumers “make a difference” to developing countries.
He explained: “The Scottish Government has huge purchasing power and spends around £9 billion every year on goods and services. The decisions it makes can have a really positive impact, both on the lives of workers here at home and overseas, and the environment.”
100 treasures book to mark diocesan centenary
A new book charting Suffolk’s magnificent churches is being published ahead of the diocese’s centenary celebrations next year.
The book, ‘100 Treasures: A Celebration of Suffolk Churches’, is being launched by the Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich, the Right Reverend Nigel Stock, this Friday at St Mary le Tower, Ipswich.
The full colour book by Roy Tricker features full-colour photographs and descriptions of the churches as well as their historic treasures.
These include a Saxon cross shaft and a 13th century sanctuary ring for those seeking refuge from justice.
Other church highlights include the tombstone of a falconer to three Stuart kings, a ruined Norman chancel, and a tower paid for by the local people including a woman who left 20 sheep “towards the buying of the bells”.
Bishop Stock notes in his foreward that the diocese’s celebrations coincide with the centenary of World War I and mentions that the very first Bishop of the diocese, Henry Hodgson, tragically lost his son Noel in the Somme offensive in 1916.
One of the more poignant church features in Tricker’s book is a chancel shrine made using shell cases by wounded soldiers at a hospital near Ypres in 1917.
In recognition of the sacrifices made in that war, a donation will be made to the Royal British Legion from the sale of the book.