Finance Committee chooses quick action instead of study

A decision by the Commission members to bring together the two main investment agencies in the Presbyterian Church (USA) The suspension of investments in the public debt of countries under ‘prolonged military occupation’ was recommended by the Committee on Financial Resources of the 226th General Assembly, despite the concern of some representatives of the denomination that there is currently no possibility of implementing the recommendation.

In the end, however, the sense of urgency prevailed over the process and the recommendation was adopted by a vote of 42 to 2. The Assembly will consider the recommendation at its meeting next week in Salt Lake City.

The sense of urgency prevailed over the process and the recommendation was adopted by a vote of 42 to 2.

“Owning such stocks makes us sick,” said Doug Orbaker, an elder in the Presbytery of Northumberland. “It is participation in an evil system.”

The resolution called on the Assembly to Pension fund and that Presbyterian Foundation to reduce their investments in the debts of these countries – currently Israel, Turkey and Morocco – and to ask the denomination Mission responsibility through investment (MRTI) Committee to create a mechanism for dealing with such countries in the future.

“It is participation in an evil system.” – Doug Orbaker

The Presbyterian Pension Board, the Presbyterian Foundation, Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy And Presbyterian Mission Agency Board all supported the goal but said there are currently no processes or procedures in place to implement the resolution. The faith’s divestment process applies only to U.S.-based companies, not government entities.

““We cannot support war machines and the killing of people,” said Dana Monk, a senior elder and commissioner of the Presbytery of Santa Barbara.