Presbyterians 'Denounce' Caterpillar, Keep Investments

Kerry Clements, resource coordinator, looks on during discussions in the Middle East Peacemaking Issues Committee on Monday. (Photo: Danny Bolin)

Delegates at the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)'s 219th General Assembly voted on Monday to "denounce" heavy machinery company Caterpillar Inc. for its role in aiding Israeli settlement construction rather than divest from the corporation.

"On the basis of Christian principles and as a matter of social witness, the 219th General Assembly (2010) strongly denounces Caterpillar's continued profit-making from non-peaceful uses of a number of its products," a report from the group's Mission Responsibility Through Investment (MRTI) committee reads. "We call upon Caterpillar to carefully review its involvement in obstacles to a just and lasting peace in Israel-Palestine, and to take affirmative steps to end its complicity in the violation of human rights."

"We hope that, by God's grace, Caterpillar will come to exercise its considerable power and influence in the service of a just and lasting peace in Israel/Palestine," it said.

The report also made note of Caterpillar's "slowness" in engaging with PC (U.S.A.) on the issue, saying that "for extended periods, the company was unwilling to meet."

When the company was able to schedule meetings, however, the report says that Caterpillar denied responsibility for how their products are being used and were "dismissive of the ecumenical community's concerns" – an attitude that stands in "sharp contrast" with other companies doing business in Israel/Palestine, according to the MRTI.

"While we might like to see greater progress in some of those other dialogues, Caterpillar's unwillingness to engage with authenticity and openness is unique and disappointing," the report says. "Their actions do not provide much encouragement about the possibility for real change coming through conversation and correspondence conducted 'behind the scenes.'"

According to the Rev. Brian Ellison, MRTI chair, the reason why the MRTI chose this stance rather than divestment was because it felt it had not "exhausted every possible action."

Calls for divestment were originally put forth by presbyteries in Newark and San Francisco, although PC (U.S.A.) members in Peoria, Ill., where Caterpillar is based, were not pleased with the motion.

According to Religion News Service (RNS), a significant portion of PC (U.S.A.) congregants in the region depend on Caterpillar for their livelihood.

"Caterpillar's huge in this part of the world," Northminster Presbyterian Church Senior Pastor Doug Hucke told RNS.

The MRTI's report is among the documents and issues being considered by the PC (U.S.A.)'s Middle East Peacemaking Issues Committee, which has had its hands full with other reports calling for a stricter stance against Israeli occupation of Palestine.

Other actions approved by the committee include a call on the U.S. government to maintain its commitments to withdraw all U.S. combat troops from Iraq by Aug. 31, 2010, and to withdraw all U.S. armed forces and defense contractors from Iraq by no later than Dec. 31, 2011.

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