The Franciscan Sisters of Mary are deeply concerned about human worth and dignity, stewarding natural resources, meeting basic human needs for all people, and honoring all creatures of the Earth.

While the purpose for any investment program is to produce a fair rate of return on investments, the nature and purpose of the Franciscan Sisters of Mary demand that what the congregation chooses to invest in relate directly to its most deeply held beliefs, concerns, and values.

Exclusionary Screens

The Franciscan Sisters of Mary will not invest in companies that derive any revenues related to:

  • Abortifacients production (for example, producers of the RU-486 abortion pill)
  • For-profit health care providers (hospitals, physician practices)
  • Nuclear weapons or nuclear weapon delivery systems production or manufacture or sale of biological or chemical weapons
  • Oil, gas, and consumable fuel producers
  • Companies comprising the Filthy Fifteen

The Franciscan Sisters of Mary will not invest in companies that derive substantial revenues (more than 10 percent or as otherwise indicated) related to:

Tobacco or tobacco-related production

The tobacco restriction includes publicly traded companies that manufacture or produce tobacco products. Publicly traded companies that derive 15 percent or more of total revenues from the distribution of tobacco products or from the supplying of raw materials and other products necessary for the production of tobacco products are also included.

Guns and firearms, including production, distribution, or retail sales

The firearms restriction includes publicly traded companies that are engaged in the production of firearms for civilian use, including pistols, revolvers, rifles, shotguns, or submachine guns. Publicly traded companies that derive 15 percent or more of total revenues from the wholesale or retail distribution of firearms and small arms ammunition are also included.

Military Industrial Complex

The military restriction includes publicly traded companies that derive substantial revenues as military contractors or subcontractors for the development or manufacture of military weapons.

The restriction does not include companies that have non-weapons-related contracts with military organizations.

Adult entertainment

The adult entertainment restriction includes publicly traded companies that are producers (makers of films, magazines, etc.), operators (adult entertainment establishments), and providers (cable and satellite, etc.). Publicly traded companies that derive 15 percent or more of total revenues from the rental, sale, or distribution of adult entertainment are also included.

The adult entertainment restriction does not include publicly traded:

  • Internet Service Providers (SPs) whose Web sites contain links to adult-content Web sites
  • Major motion picture studios that produce R- and/or NC-17-rated movies (unless the company also produces adult movies)
  • Hotels and other lodging or hospitality establishments that offer adult movies over in-house pay-per-view channels

Contraceptives and abortion restriction

The contraceptives and abortion restriction includes publicly traded companies that manufacture contraceptives and companies that own or operate acute care hospitals or surgical centers where abortions might be performed.

The abortion restriction does not include publicly traded companies that are:

  • Producers of medical instruments that have multiple uses
  • Retailers of abortifacients
  • Real estate investment trusts (REITs) that own, but do not operate, acute care hospitals
  • Insurance companies that reimburse for products or procedures related to abortions or abortifacients
  • Corporate supporters of Planned Parenthood or similar advocacy organizations

*Revised by FSM Leadership in September 2014