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Writer's pictureFrida Abaroa

Creating an Economy of Communion: A Vision for Business & Society

Updated: Oct 29

3nity Studios™ concept shot for the animatic of the Pilot Episode of our upcoming animated series of Once Upon a Parable™
3nity Studios_Economy of Communion

3NITY GROUP™ is a Catholic consortium of businesses and charitable enterprises committed to creating exceptional, faith-based digital art and other faith-based products which assist and inspire people in their Christian journey.  Through the use of modern media, our enterprise enables children to visualize how to apply Catholic values to their everyday life circumstances.


We seek to create an “economy of Faith” which cultivates Christian virtue and values to evangelize through entertainment and to bring about meaningful change in our culture. Guided by our faith in Jesus Christ, we seek to aid the spiritual and moral growth of people of all ages and backgrounds, while we aspire to lead our own lives as a genuine witness to the values we promote.


We ascribe to Pope Benedict XVI’s “economy of communion” which seeks to promote a culture of giving through a for-profit industry, yet animated by the value of universal fraternity. Our venture is Trinitarian in its essence, recognizing individuality but also respecting the community. We acknowledge the necessity of rewarding – financially and otherwise – the hard work and faith of individual persons, while at the same time recognizing the great moral responsibility of “those who have been given much” to put Christian charity into action by assisting those in need.

But what exactly do we mean by an "economy of Communion"? Throughout the centuries there have been many types of economies, we have gone from barter systems to more complex systems like capitalism or communism, among others.


The Economy of Communion: A Vision for Business and Society

In an era where economic systems are often viewed in binary terms—capitalism versus socialism, or individual prosperity versus communal welfare—our studio has embraced a radically different vision for business. We are founded on the principle of creating an "economy of communion", where the purpose of wealth creation is not merely individual gain but to serve the greater good of the community. Our vision is simple yet transformative: business owners, operating freely within a for-profit framework, use their revenues to aid social missions and uplift those most in need. This is not philanthropy in the traditional sense, but a holistic way of thinking about the purpose of business itself—an economy founded on Christian principles and values, rooted in justice, love, and freedom.



Capitalism, Socialism, and Communism: What Sets Us Apart

To understand how the economy of communion fits into the broader conversation, it is important to first differentiate between the dominant economic ideologies of the modern world: capitalism, socialism, and communism.


Capitalism thrives on the principle of private ownership and the freedom to generate wealth. It encourages innovation and rewards individual initiative. However, capitalism often carries the dark potential for greed and inequality. Left unchecked, it can breed corruption, concentrate wealth in the hands of the few, and lead to a society where the vulnerable are overlooked in favor of profit. It also renders the individual vulnerable to "worship Mammon", where choices are being made with "profit" in mind before "doing what is right". This becomes problematic in all spheres of society and in all industries. For example, as seen in a doctor that makes decisions for his patients, seeing them as an opportunity for personal profit, rather than for seeking his patient's wellbeing, forfeiting even his Hippocratic oath.


Socialism and Communism, on the other hand, focus on collective "ownership", in which the government is always in control, and the redistribution of wealth to ensure that all citizens have access to essential resources. Theoretically, these systems are designed to care for the "whole," but they frequently do so at the cost of individual freedom and opportunity. Historically, the drive for equality under these systems has led to rigid governmental control, where personal ambitions are stifled, and the creative and entrepreneurial spirit is extinguished under the guise of serving the greater good. This becomes problematic because the individual must abide by the strict government regulations, even when these mean the acceptance of mediocre living circumstances or inhuman policies such as the number of children a family is allowed to have.


What we propose in our "economy of communion" is neither capitalism in its raw form nor a form of socialism or communism that sacrifices personal freedom for a hypocritical collective security. Instead, it is a harmonious balanced path founded on a Christian vision, one that recognizes the value of individual freedom while calling for that freedom to be used for a higher purpose—the flourishing of both the individual and the community.



Freedom with Responsibility: The Core of Our Vision

At the heart of our economy of communion is a fundamental belief in the freedom to create. We believe in the right of business owners to use their talents, time, and resources to generate wealth. However, we also believe that this freedom comes with the responsibility to share. In our model, profits are not hoarded but reinvested into the community, not in a paternalistic way, but in a manner that empowers others. The famous adage, "Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime," perfectly encapsulates our approach, but we go as far as to add " and give them the tools to fish to make it possible for them to fend for themselves".


This philosophy enables individual growth—not just financially, but spiritually. Business leaders are encouraged to share their wealth, knowledge, and time in ways that uplift others, providing the tools and opportunities for those in need to create their own pathways to success. This is not charity born out of obligation but a voluntary, joyful exercise of one’s freedom to help others rise.


Our Commitment to Sharing and Education

As part of our studio’s commitment to the economy of communion, we go beyond simply sharing profits. A portion of our revenue is dedicated to a foundation that aims to provide specialized educational opportunities to underprivileged children. But this is only the first step. In addition to financial contributions, our team actively participates by creating and delivering courses in our respective areas of expertise, offering these children not just academic knowledge but the skills and tools to build their own futures.


We hope that by doing so, we will inspire a ripple effect, encouraging others in various professional fields to join us in this endeavour. Our goal is not just to give children the resources they need today but to empower them with knowledge and mentorship that will continue to benefit them in the long term. In this way, our studio seeks to foster both financial and spiritual growth, extending our vision of communion to future generations.



Submission, Not Subjugation

One of the key distinctions between our model and those of socialism or communism is the concept of submission versus subjugation. In systems that claim to care for the whole, individual freedoms are often trampled, and the result is subjugation—an imposition of the collective will upon the individual, often without consent or regard for personal autonomy. This leads to resentment, stagnation, and ultimately the breakdown of trust within a society. Though in some cases, aided by massive means of propaganda, a a government may achieve its society's resignation and "acceptance", perhaps because they don't know any better.


In our vision, submission is something entirely different. Submission is a gift, given freely from the heart. It is the choice of individuals to use their talents and resources to serve others, not because they are coerced, but because they see the inherent value in lifting up the entire community. Submission is the highest form of love, a full engagement of free will that seeks to build bridges between personal success and communal welfare. Jesus was submissive to The Father and saint Paul calls us to be submissive. Submission as a word has been dirtied with the wrongful concept of its meaning, but it is in fact a commendable characteristic we can aspire to in remembrance of our Lord Jesus Christ. This applies to all aspects of life and all types of relationships.



3nity Studios™ concept shot for the animatic of the Pilot Episode of our upcoming animated series of Once Upon a Parable™
3nity Studios_Taking on Responsibility



Creating an Economy of Freedom, Justice, and Love

At its core, our studio’s vision is rooted in the belief that an economy can be much more than a system for generating profit. It can be a system for generating hope, opportunity, and justice. We believe that when business leaders align their actions with Christian values, they can create something far greater than mere financial success—they can create a movement of love and service.


The great challenge before us... is to demonstrate, in thinking and behaviour, not only that there is no separation between economic logic and human solidarity, but that economic life must be seen as an aspect of human activity, and as such, in need of justice and charity. In commercial relationships, the principle of gratuitousness and the logic of gift as an expression of fraternity can and must find their place within normal economic activity.

— Pope Benedict XVI, Caritas in Veritate, §36


This passage reflects the essence of balancing economic logic with human solidarity, a core principle of the economy of communion where charity and justice are integral to the operation of a business. It aligns perfectly with the values our studio upholds in promoting both individual and community growth.


In the teachings of Christ, there is a clear call to "give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and give to God what belongs to God" (Matthew 22:21). This means honouring the systems of the world, but not being beholden to them. We are called to act out of love, justice, and mercy, using the resources at our disposal to freely uplift others while ensuring that human dignity and freedom remain intact.


Our vision for an economy of communion is grounded in the belief that people are capable of so much more when they live in accordance with these principles. By balancing the advancement of the individual with the advancement of the community, we are confident that we can build a world where both personal and societal growth thrive.


Through this model, we aspire to create a legacy where wealth is not an end in itself but a means to create lasting, positive change—both in the world of business and in the hearts of those who participate in it.



Written by: Frida Abaroa

Founder of 3NITY

© 2024 3nity Creative Corp. All rights reserved.


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