St Katharine Cree, the Guild Church for workers in the heart of the City of London, has launched a major new portrait exhibition called Voices for Transparency, bringing together photographs from around the world to tell the stories behind financial corruption and secrecy jurisdictions.
As the UK prepares to host the Illicit Finance Summit this summer, the exhibition highlights the real-life impact of financial wrongdoing in communities across the globe.
While reporting on illicit finance typically focuses on perpetrators and mechanisms, this exhibition, curated by the Bureau of Investigative Journalism, shifts the spotlight to those directly affected, amplifying voices of injustice, resilience and accountability.
It forms part of a broader programme of activity at St Katharine Cree, which has established the Joseph Centre for Dignified Work to stimulate further discussion on policy issues in the City of London. A roundtable is taking place today, bringing together faith and financial leaders, chaired by Senior Investment Director of Rathbones Group and Alderman and Sheriff of the City of London, Robert Hughes-Penny.
The roundtable sees the launch of the Joseph Centre’s report on faith-based approaches to financial transparency by researcher Paul Bickley, drawing on inspiration from the Voices for Transparency exhibition.
Revd Josh Harris, Priest-in-Charge of the Guild Church for Workers at St Katharine Cree and Director of the Joseph Centre, said:
“Presiding over a church in the City of London, I understand the importance of engaging faithfully and creatively with the economic realities that shape people’s lives. Our church has a unique opportunity to bring together different voices to confront these challenges.
“By hosting Voices for Transparency, we are creating a space where art, journalism, business and faith come together to prompt reflection on truth, accountability and the importance of human dignity.
“Our accompanying report, written by Paul Bickley, shows how the Christian tradition has always been concerned with what is hidden and what is revealed. Drawing on biblical themes and Catholic Social Teaching, Paul argues that financial transparency is a matter of justice rooted in who God is and how human communities are called to flourish.
“Together this exhibition and our report demonstrate the powerful role the Church can play in bringing these issues to light.”
Robert Hughes-Penny, Alderman and Sheriff of the City of London, said:
“Living at the Old Bailey as one of the two Sheriffs of the City of London, I see every day just how important the rule of law is to our economic security.
“This exhibition gives corruption a human face, and serves as a reminder of why we must tackle financial wrongdoing in all its forms with renewed determination.”
The exhibition is open to the public until the end of this week, with the possibility of extension due to demand.
