Last February 4, 2017, Pope Francis received 1,200 entrepreneurs, besides young people and scholars involved in the Economy of Communion (EoC) project from 54 different countries. They came to celebrate the 25 years of life of the Economy of Communion project, in which the Pope affirmed as a project “in which I have been genuinely interested for some time”. In this interview with Teresa Ganzon, CEO of Bangko Kabayan, and a major advocate of EoC, we ask about her impressions as she represented the Philippines and Asia before the Pope.
What was your experience as an EoC representative from the Philippines before the Pope?
Teresa: I just had this deep desire to tell him that I was bringing him all the love and esteem, not only of the Filipino people, but also of Asia, as well. I also wanted to tell him briefly how meaningful the Gospel is and the profound social changes it can bring about – as this was the single biggest influence in my own life and my experience of bringing banking services to the underserviced sector of MSMEs (micro, small and medium enterprises).
In a nutshell, what is the EoC?
Teresa: EOC is a way of life, with special emphasis on how we live the economic aspect of our life consistently with the universal values of sharing, building fraternity, reciprocity and ethics. Whether we are producers or consumers, the everyday challenge for us is to ACT in a way consistent with our belief that we are one big universal family, and that everything we do, especially the way we produce and consume it, affects the lives of others more in need than we are. It is to be conscious that we are only stewards of earthly resources and that we may take only what we need and use the rest of these resources – whether they may be material, time, or effort – for the benefit of others who are victims of an economic system that enables only the rich to get richer and victimizes the poor who find it more difficult to overcome their situation.
As a consequence of this awareness and conviction, business people are challenged not only to share their profits but also to run their businesses and include the marginalized in the process or conduct of the business, so they may also take part in the process of the creation of wealth, with their dignity intact because they discover themselves to be producers as well, and not just objects of “charity”.
These may sound like motherhood statements – but they are real and can be practiced in everyday life. How they are lived depends on each one’s openness and good will in wanting to see a better humanity and world emerge from their own contribution, inspiration and efforts – not matter how small they may seem.
Why is Pope Francis supportive of it?
Teresa: Pope Francis is not only supportive of EoC but as a matter of fact, he also challenges even further! This is because the Pope must be so quite aware of his role as a leader who clarifies, and concretises the teachings of the Gospel applied to the daily life of each person on earth (not even just Christians, but anyone who believes in the universal value of brotherhood), so he takes every opportunity to talk with specific groups, further clarifying their purpose, and their vocation in life, according to the radical teachings of Christ.
What words of the Pope struck you most during your recent meeting in Rome?
Teresa: There were many! Sharing profits is a way of telling money “you are not my idol”…paying taxes is a way of sharing for the common good. However, perhaps the strongest message was when he reminded us that it was not enough to be a Good Samaritan. Sharing material resources is good – but not enough. We have to share ALL of ourselves! We have to always keep challenging ourselves to do more, and never to be at peace about having done enough.
It’s been a year since we had the PanAsiatic EoC Congress, what has been some of its fruits?
Teresa: For the first time in an EOC international congress, we numbered 66 participants from Asia! Though the papal audience certainly played a big part in attracting many to the congress, still, there has been greater awareness, especially among entrepreneurs (but also EoC advocates from the youth, the political sector, from media and of course, the academe) about the EoC and what it means in their lives. We keep up communications among ourselves, sharing inspirations, as well as concrete project proposals across the region. I think it’s fair to say there is certainly more communion now among those attracted to this new, different, and more humane economic paradigm in this region, which is so well known for its pragmatism.
Are you not worried that you are just a small portion of humanity?
Teresa: One of the messages of the Pope in our audience last February 4 was most encouraging. He said that we may be small in number – but that many things in the Gospel refer to “small” matters – the small flock, the lamp, a coin, the precious pearl, a lamb, salt of the earth, faith the size of the mustard seed, the leaven which raises the bread…in other words, being small in number can produce big changes, big realities. We just have to be convinced of the truth underlying the message of EoC – the possible multiplication of the loaves and the fish which fed the multitudes – and do our part. We have to remain a hopeful people!
What are your hopes and dreams for EoC?
Teresa: That’s a difficult question. EOC is an inspiration but also a reality – about something greater than ourselves. As such, we can only hope that we become faithful bearers of such a wonderful message, capable of changing the world and mankind. We may not live to see that day of massive transformation. It is enough to catch glimpses of it, through the witness of changed lives, or experiences of Providence which we recognized as something very real, even in the business/ economic environment. Luigino Bruni, (EoC International Coordinator) once described EoC as the gift of having “new eyes” with which to recognize the laws of God as it operates in the world, yes even in the economic world of today.
My personal hope and dream is for many more to come to know about and receive this gift of new eyes, being enabled to live in this new dimension, even while in the world today – with great hope, and much joy and gratitude for the privilege of being part of “heaven here on earth.”
