The vocation of business leaders

Businesspeople have been given great resources and the Lord asks them to do great things. This is an aspect of their vocation. In this young century alone, many businesses have already brought forth marvelous innovations that have cured disease, brought people closer together through technology, and created prosperity in countless ways. Unfortunately, this century has also brought business scandals, serious economic disturbances, growing inequality, ecological damage, and an erosion of trust in business organizations and in free-market institutions generally. 

When businesses and markets as a whole are functioning properly, with sensible and effective regulatory oversight, they make an irreplaceable contribution to the material and even spiritual well-being of humankind. When business activity is carried out justly, effectively, and sustainably, customers receive goods and services at fair prices; employees engage in good work and earn a livelihood for themselves and their families; investors earn a reasonable return; and natural resources and ecosystems are looked after. Communities see their common resources put to good use, the environment is protected, and the overall common good is respected.

— Adapted from Vocation of the Business Leader: A Reflection, by the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development (2018), #1, 3