Francis Stewart (CAFOD) – Theology of Economic Justice

Francis opened the day with a theological reflection on the moral foundations of finance.
Drawing on Scripture and Catholic Social Teaching, he reminded us that Jubilee—the biblical call for debt forgiveness and renewal—is both economic and spiritual.

“Debt has become a tool of control; our task is to redeem, not destroy, the system so that finance serves life.”

Francis explored commutative, distributive, and social justice, showing how each challenges today’s debt structures.
His invitation: create local sites of resistance through parish action, credit unions, and advocacy.

Sunit Bagree (Results UK) – Illicit Finance and Nutrition

Sunit revealed how trade misinvoicing and tax abuse siphon billions from low-income countries—money that could otherwise fund children’s health and nutrition.
He explained that the UK’s financial network of Crown Dependencies and Overseas Territories plays a central role in global secrecy and called for urgent transparency reforms.

“If even a small share of lost tax revenue were recovered, millions more children could eat, learn, and thrive.”

Participants heard success stories from Ethiopia, Sierra Leone, and Pakistan, where modest investments in nutrition have saved lives. His practical challenge: write to Steven Doughty (Minister of State) and Margaret Hodge (Anti-Corruption Champion) urging full implementation of beneficial ownership registers and support for fair taxation globally.

Maria Finnerty (CAFOD) – Debt, Law, and Structural Change

Maria explored the global debt crisis through a moral lens, noting that over 50 countries now spend more on debt interest than on health or education.

“Money flows from the poorest to the richest. Until we reverse that flow, there can be no genuine development.”
 

Maria highlighted how UK law, governing most global debt contracts, gives Britain both power and responsibility to act. CAFOD’s campaign calls for:

• A fair international debt framework under UN oversight 

• Reform of the IMF’s austerity model

• An updated UK law to prevent lenders from suing poor nations in British courts

Maria reminded participants that faith and justice are inseparable: “Our call is to speak up for the poor, even when inconvenient.”