Alternative Globalization Addressing Peoples and Earth

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• Churches are called to reflect on the question of power and empire
from a biblical and theological perspective, and to take a clear faith
stance on hegemonic powers.
• Churches are encouraged to support global initiatives to transform
multilateral bodies such as the United Nations to address the real
needs of the peoples of the world for peace and justice.
• Churches are asked to support initiatives of the churches in their
reflection on hegemonic powers, such as critical efforts of the
European churches on the contract for a European constitution, and
the US churches’ debate on empire.
Conclusion
So let us, as churches together, make a clear decision, choosing between
God and mammon, and opting for an economy of life:
• We affirm that the earth and all it contains are God’s gifts, given out
of love and care for all created beings - living and non-living.
• We acknowledge the interdependence of creation and human society,
and that the sustainable use or excessive abuse of this relationship will
either enhance or destroy our living together in this interdependence.
• We affirm our hope that a just global economy built on the creative
alternatives of people the world over is not only possible, but that it
already exists in communities based on communitarian sharing and
resources distribution. Here in small pockets, we discern the absence
of the selfish pursuit of wealth. God’s love and justice calls the church
to its true vocation to accompany these small initiatives in all regions
that seek just alternatives. The church can not only learn from such
local initiatives, but can draw lessons from them in seeking global
alternatives.
• We acknowledge that this process of transformation requires that we
as churches make ourselves accountable to the victims of the project
of neoliberal globalization. Their voices and experiences must
determine how we see and judge this project in the light of the Gospel.
This implies that we as churches from different regions also make
ourselves accountable to each other, and that those of us closer to the
centres of power live out their first loyalty with their sisters and brothers
who are suffering and oppressed.