Wall Street Church Discusses Faith in the Marketplace

The Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams (far right) speaks during a discussion session at Trinity Wall Street's "Building an Ethical Economy" conference. (Photo: Ecumenical Press)

An Episcopal parish in downtown Manhattan will be exploring the role that theology has in shaping an ethical economy during a conference to be held this week.

Hosted by the Trinity Institute, an educational ministry of Trinity Church on Wall Street, "Building an Ethical Economy: Theology and the Marketplace" will feature three days worth of lectures and discussion focused on how economics relates to the Christian faith.

Speakers scheduled to appear include University of Chicago Divinity School Professor Kathryn Tanner, University of Cambridge Professor Sir Partha Dasgupta, and the Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams.

In noting the significance of the conference, the Rev. Dr. James H. Cooper, Rector of Trinity Wall Street, said, "As the world struggles to recover from financial freefall, our collective fate has never been more intertwined."

"As theologians, clergy, and lay leaders, we must not only offer a moral perspective on the imperatives that led to this economic morass, but be actively engaged in envisioning a more ethical and sustainable economy for all humanity," he added.

Building an Ethical Economy is the 40th annual conference from the Trinity Institute, with previous speakers at the event including German theologian Jürgen Moltmann, Islamic scholar Tariq Ramadan, anti-death penalty advocate Helen Prejean, and former U.N. General Secretary Kofi Annan.

The conference will begin on the evening of Jan. 27 with an opening Eucharist service presided over by Williams and the Most Rev. Bernard Ntahouturi, Archbishop of Burundi.

Webcasts of the conference will be shown in over 70 partner sites throughout the U.S. and internationally, where on-site discussion groups will also be held.

On the web: http://www.trinitywallstreet.org/faith/institute/

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