Monsignor Ignatius Suharyo: Don't Bring Religion into Business

Is the Church’s position that strict?

There are lay groups within the Catholic Church. Their number is the largest. I am in the hierarchy with pastors and deacons. The lay groups can go into businesses but without using the name of religion. The responsibility of Catholic laypeople in the business context is to make sure that they do business fairly.

What if lay Catholics are involved in the mining business?

The mining business is complex. There are temptations and huge risks if it is not managed well. It also damages the environment, whereas the Catholic Church devotes great attention (to urge) all groups not to play any part in environmental destruction. We heard about a tin mining corruption case that caused trillions of rupiah worth of ecological losses. How come we want to be part of that kind of practice. 

The Church itself may not do it, but are Catholics also forbidden from engaging in the mining business?

How does the Church show its face if (it) goes so far as engaging in (mining) businesses? Being involved in this high-risk business requires serious moral considerations. Catholics can go ahead and do the mining business. But do not carry the Catholic flag. Do business with the environment conservation principle. They must fulfill many requirements.

It’s almost impossible to do mining business without damaging the environment.

Isn’t there a controlled exploration model? Once you start talking about backing, that clearly is damaging. 

Is there a connection between this rejection and the vow of poverty among priests?

We live in ‘poverty’ by choice. What we maintain are values, and we deliberately choose to do so. We have no problem with taunting remarks like that. The key is to hold on to your self-identity.

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