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12 October 2012

The Church vs global corruption

Christian organisations have come together to take a stand against corruption, one of the major factors contributing to global poverty.

This week saw the launch of EXPOSED – Shining a Light on Corruption, which is the first time in history that leading Christian agencies have come together to tackle it. 

Launching EXPOSED on Thursday, campaign chairman and international director of Micah Challenge, Rev Joel Edwards, said: "No nation is immune. This current economic crisis means that greed, the excesses of corporate cultures, dishonesty and unaccountable behaviour has touched us where it hurts. 

EXPOSED is here to join an increasing chorus of concern, which says ‘enough is enough’. It is an opportunity for the Church to do what we are called to do: to raise our voice in holy outrage and provide practical offerings of hope."

The launch, attended by partners, supporters and media, marked the start of a 12-month campaign of awareness-raising and action.

In the next year, millions of people will be mobilised to commit to and promote practical steps for ethical behaviour in business, government, the Church and society as a whole. 

The year will culminate in the EXPOSED Global Vigil against Corruption from 14-20 October 2013 and with the signing of a Global Call against corruption which will be handed to the G20 gathering of leading economies in Australia in 2014. Organisers are aiming to gather 10 million signatories.

At the event at Westminster Central Hall chaired by Lord Paul Boateng, EXPOSED international co-ordinator Dr Dion Forster said: "I am convinced that we are responding to God’s call to the Church to take a stand on the issue of corruption across the globe."

Giving the biblical grounding for the campaign, Dr Forster continued: "Corruption is a sin. It is a sin that is perpetrated against the most vulnerable members of society. It is an affront to God. It is this truth that makes the EXPOSED campaign so important and so urgent."

Dr Chris Lodewyk, representing the Unashamedly Ethical campaign which challenges people to make a public commitment to "values, ethics and clean living", pledged its backing for the EXPOSED campaign. Corruption, he said, is a particular scourge in Africa but is certainly not confined to that continent.

Global partners include the British and Foreign Bible Society, the American Bible Society, The Salvation Army, Unashamedly Ethical, the World Evangelical Alliance and Micah Challenge International, but the EXPOSED2013 campaign has a much wider and broader support base. EXPOSED has been working with the United Nations Millennium Campaign and Tax Justice Network.

In the next year, the Church will be called to act with integrity and openness. Governments will be urged to act justly and honestly and to implement laws to stop all forms of corruption, so that sustainable growth is possible now and for future generations. Business people will also be asked to promote honest dealings in pricing, procurement, taxes and transparency so that enterprises of all sizes have the opportunity to prosper.

Christians across the world will be asked to take personal action to challenge their own behaviours and stand against corruption in their own communities. 

For more information, visit www.exposed2013.com