There is nothing inherently wrong with the concept of corporations. Corporations are a group of people authorized to act as a legal personality and having its own powers, duties, and liabilities – Collins English Dictionary 2009. The issue arises when the structure becomes so sterile and dispastionate that individuals in and outside lose their signficance and dignity as human beings.
Corportations can forget their reponsiblity to the common good. The church spells it out in the following manner –
“Those responsible for business enterprises are responsible to society for the economic and ecological effects of their operations.They have an obligation to consider the good of persons and not only the increase of profits. Profits are necessary, however. They make possible the investments that ensure the future of a business and they guarantee employment”. — Catechism of the Catholic Church Par 2432
We can become desensitized to the needs of our neighbors and our individual responsibilities. Economic activity is a fact of life and cannot be ignored, but we need to be reminded of its purpose.
“Economic life is not meant solely to multiply goods produced and increase profit or power; it is ordered first of all to the service of persons, of the whole man, and of the entire human community.” – Catechism of the Catholic Church Par 2426
I have worked for a number of large corporations – the Seattle Times, McCaw Cellular, Tektronix, Crown Zellerbach and Providence Health and Services. I remember one Providence chaplain said she would speak up at meetings when something seemed amiss. We need to commend the corporations and individuals that speak out and meet their social responsibilities. We need to hold them all accountable whatever our role is.
Have a fun and safe Fourth of July and Canada Day Weekend.