L'entreprise et l'Évangile

By Marie-Emmanuelle Chessel

Book Description

This groundbreaking study explores a fascinating yet overlooked movement that has quietly shaped modern business ethics for nearly a century. Marie-Emmanuelle Chessel examines the Christian business leaders' movement in France, tracing its evolution from a federation of Catholic professional unions founded in 1926 to today's Entrepreneurs et dirigeants chrétiens (EDC).

Drawing from previously unexplored archives and personal interviews, this work reveals how Catholic business leaders have navigated the complex intersection of faith and commerce. These entrepreneurs embrace a distinctive philosophy where leadership becomes an act of service, challenging conventional notions of corporate power and profit-driven decision-making.

The book illuminates how Church social doctrine and the transformative influence of Vatican II shaped the thinking of Catholic business elites. It demonstrates how this movement has contributed significantly to contemporary business ethics, including efforts to combat corruption that gained momentum in the 1990s.

Chessel presents the unique challenges faced by the Church as it grapples with secularization while capitalism continues its global expansion. Neither a formal Church institution nor a traditional business association, this movement represents something entirely different: a community of thought dedicated to integrating Gospel values with entrepreneurial responsibility.

For readers seeking to understand how spiritual principles can guide business practice, this scholarly yet accessible work offers profound insights into faith-based leadership and ethical commerce.