In the investment area, we often face ethical dilemmas that may conflict with our values and beliefs. For Catholics, this is even more relevant, as financial decisions should align with faith and the principles of the Social Teaching of the Church. At Altum Faithful Investing, we have developed a unique approach to offer Catholic investors an ethical choice that not only prioritizes profitability but also moral integrity.
Through the Altum Investment Guidelines, we seek to integrate Christian values into every investment decision, following four fundamental pillars: Promotion of Life, Promotion of Family, Promotion of Human Dignity, and Care and Protection of Creation. These principles not only guide our decisions but also provide a clear framework for constructing investment portfolios consistent with the Catholic faith without compromising financial objectives.
The Four Pillars of Altum Faithful Investing
Altum believes that faith-consistent investing is not only possible but a responsibility for Catholic investors. The four pillars upon which our methodology is based are fundamental and influence our investment decisions.
Promotion of Human Life
Human life, from conception to natural death, is the basic principle guiding all our decisions at Altum. The Social Teaching of the Church defends that life is sacred and inviolable, and therefore, we cannot invest in companies whose practices go against this fundamental principle.
Altum actively avoids investments in companies that are involved in abortion, euthanasia or the manufacture of abortifacients and contraceptives. We also discourage investments in companies involved in embryonic stem cell research, which is contrary to Catholic values. This principle is key to our Altum Investment Guidelines, as we believe that every investment should reflect absolute respect for human life at all stages. On the other hand, we seek companies that promote a culture of life, investing in those that protect and value human life in each of their business decisions.
Promotion of Family
The family, as the fundamental institution, is another key pillar of Altum’s investment decisions. In our vision, the family must be protected and promoted at all levels. This includes not only defending traditional marriage but also supporting policies that promote family stability, education, and the well-being of children.
We avoid investments in companies that support or promote ideologies that go against the Christian understanding of family, such as gender ideology, which denies the complementary nature of the sexes and undermines the natural structure of family. Altum supports companies that respect the Catholic view of marriage, understanding marriage as the union of one man and one woman.
Investing in companies that foster family-friendly labor policies, such as access to parental leave, is a key criterion in our strategy. Through these investments, we aim to strengthen family structures and contribute to the well-being of future generations.
Promotion of Human Dignity
Human dignity is at the heart of the Social Teaching of the Church. Each person is created in the image and likeness of God, and therefore, his or her dignity must be respected in all circumstances. At Altum, we promote investments in companies that respect human rights and decent working conditions. This means avoiding investing in companies that exploit their workers, are involved in pornography, or do not respect their employees’ right to religious freedom.
At the same time, we evaluate companies’ internal policies on equal opportunity, respect for freedom of conscience, and non-discrimination practices.
Care for and Protection of Creation
Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’ reminds us that caring for the environment is an act of moral and spiritual responsibility. At Altum, we believe that respect for creation is essential to achieve true social justice, as natural resources are not just material goods, but gifts from God that we must steward wisely.
Altum promotes investments in companies that practice environmental sustainability and seek to reduce their ecological impact. We avoid investments in companies that irresponsibly exploit natural resources or engage in industries that cause irreversible damage to the environment. This approach is aligned with the principles of the Social Teaching of the Church, which teaches that economic development must go hand in hand with the protection of the environment and the well-being of future generations.
At Altum Faithful Investing, we seek not only economic profitability, but also ethical profitability that is in line with the fundamental principles of the Social Doctrine of the Church. Our four pillars – Life, Family, Human Dignity, and Care and Protection of Creation – guide our investment decisions and ensure that our investment portfolios are consistent with Catholic values.
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