Building the bridge between faith and business

Paul Winkler

“The Vocation of the Business Leader – A Reflection” is a document that should be of great significance, primarily within the context of business leaders who belong to the Roman Catholic Church, but also for the broader business community and to all people of goodwill. Just like Catholic social teaching, however, the document remains one of the best kept secrets of the Church and is not widely known by its intended audience. More so, if it is known, it’s not often heeded.  

The Vocation of the Business Leader was commissioned and published by the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace in Rome, and it represents the Church’s perspective on the role and responsibilities of all business leaders in today’s world. It is a reflection on the ethical and moral dimensions of business leadership, and it argues for integrating faith, values and ethics into the corporate sphere for the benefit of all people.  

There’s no in-your-face call to action in the document, but it is there. The call to action is simple but not easy: “Business leaders are called to contribute to the common good and to do so requires that they live virtuous lives guided by the principles of the Bible and Catholic social teaching.”  

The document doesn’t propose a path to attain those high ideals, just that it is incumbent on business leaders to do so.  

There’s always a catch with writings that come from the Church. They need to be 1) noticed, 2) read, 3) translated to something that is understandable for the average (read: poorly catechized) business leader, and finally 4) be acted upon by a leader who, activated by their love of God, has the courage and tenacity to implement.  

It is tough for most of us run-of-the-mill Catholics (I count myself as part of this group) to take the time to read what is typically highly theological and philosophical concepts from Rome, try to translate those concepts and then apply them in the real world, while at the same time dealing with the daily aggravations of the day-to-day workplace - people not showing up to work, lawsuits, city, county, state and federal regulations, supply chain issues, theft, and cash-flow management to name a few - all while trying to ensure the customer remains happy. The same leaders also deal with their own personal struggles, which include issues with their family and internal struggles such as vices and negative voices that keep them from maintaining a holy focus.  

Based on those internal and external factors, it’s my guess that the Vocation of the Business Leader sits next to the company’s annual strategic plan and slowly sifts deeper and deeper over the months into the growing pile of stuff on the desk of a business leader. It’s only touched when it’s thrown into the recycling bin. It’s a harsh assessment, but the proof is in the pudding.  

That doesn’t discount the impact “The Vocation of the Business Leader” can have on a business leader‘s life. It can be a life-changer. It reminds the leader of their responsibilities not only to shareholders, employees, customers and vendors but also to society as a whole. This includes taking care of the environment (I sound like a hippy again- but we have been told by God through Adam to take care of the place). It emphasizes that business leaders are not just economic actors but also moral agents of the Church whose vocation as a business leader is to contribute to the common good.  

It challenges business leaders to think beyond profit margins and consider the ethical implications of their decisions by putting the human person first.  

A Cliff Notes version of the document is this: “Business is a noble vocation, provided that those engaged in it see themselves challenged by a greater meaning in life; this will enable them truly to serve the common good by striving to increase the goods of this world and to make them more accessible to all” (Evangelii Gaudium #203)

Catholic business leaders should be evangelists through their actions at work. God knows we need more evangelists to serve the lost, the majority of whom walk the halls of corporate America and who work in warehouses, distribution centers, manufacturing plants and on retail floors. The challenge for Catholic business leaders is to think with the mind of Christ and see all those they interact with as their brothers and sisters. They must view the world as he does – with an eternal perspective.

The document also emphasizes the importance of education and faith formation for business leaders. I think that “The Vocation of the Business Leader” is a great place to start to foster an authentic dialogue between the Catholic Church and the business community. By engaging in a constructive dialogue, the Church can accomplish its aims to shape the ethical behavior of business leaders through a Catholic lens. They (those who work in the Church - e.g. clergy et al) would in turn gain a better understanding and appreciation of the challenges and opportunities faced by Catholic-led businesses in the modern world and can help bridge the knowledge gap between the Catholic faith and business practices. We are missing a huge opportunity if we don’t start building that bridge.  

Paul Winkler is the founder of Atollo, a Catholic business leadership development company based in Denver.