Summary
The Vatican Bank, known as the Institute for the Works of Religion (IOR), has launched two new equity benchmarks, designed to reflect Catholic principles. The indexes are called the Morningstar IOR Eurozone Catholic Principles and the Morningstar IOR US Catholic Principles, developed in collaboration with Morningstar Indexes. These indexes will serve as global references for investments aligned with the social doctrine of the Catholic Church, following a selection process that includes 50 medium- and large-cap companies based on the IOR’s Investment Policy. The policy excludes firms involved in activities not consistent with Catholic teachings, according to the Bank’s press release. This initiative aims to reinforce the IOR’s commitment to responsible finance. Robert Edwards, from Morningstar Indexes, stated that this allows investors to seek benchmarks reflecting their values and policies, while Giovanni Boscia, deputy director general of the IOR, underscored its importance as a reference point for Catholic institutions worldwide. Last year, the IOR reported a net profit increase of 7% in 2024, with improvements attributed to personnel additions and investments in digital infrastructure. In 2022, the Vatican issued Mensuram Bonam, guiding Catholics on ethical investment decisions.
Key Topics
Vatican Bank, Morningstar Indexes, Catholic principles
