5 Myths About Catholic Investing

Avoiding abortion-related companies is important — but it’s only the starting point. Catholic teaching speaks clearly not only about the sanctity of life, but also about the dignity of the human person, the dangers of pornography, the immorality of embryonic stem cell research, the exploitation in gambling and human trafficking, and more.

Catholic investing isn’t just about what you avoid — it’s also about what you support.

At Aquinas Wealth, we use a comprehensive Catholic screening process to help identify companies that uphold or violate Church teaching across a range of moral issues. It’s not just pro-life — it’s pro-truth.

Example: A tech company may not be involved in abortion services but may aggressively fund organizations that promote anti-family ideologies, distribute adult content, or exploit workers. Catholic investors deserve to know these facts — and take action.

 “A good Catholic meddles in politics,” Pope Francis ¹ once said

That includes the economy. Your investments have a voice. The question is: what are they saying?

Many people assume that Catholic investing is only relevant for large dioceses, endowments, or religious orders. But the truth is, every Catholic household can make investment decisions that reflect their values — whether you’re managing a 401(k), IRA, brokerage account, or a college fund.

While Catholic institutions like dioceses and religious orders have begun aligning their investments with moral teaching, lay Catholics likely account for the vast majority of faith-aligned investing potential in the U.S.² With over 61 million Catholics ³ — and most wealth held in personal retirement accounts and brokerage portfolios — the opportunity for faithful stewardship is enormous.

At Aquinas Wealth, we work directly with families, professionals, and retirees who want to steward their wealth with both wisdom and integrity. You don’t need to be an expert. You just need to care — and take the first step.

📊 Nearly 9-in-10 Christians (88%) who consider their faith important say they want their investments to reflect their values, but only 37% of Christians with a financial advisor have heard about values-based investing from their advisor. ⁴

That’s where tools like the Faith & Finance Score come in — giving you a simple, free way to evaluate your portfolio’s alignment and start making changes that matter.

“Values-based investing” has become a buzzword, and many assume that ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) funds are faith-friendly by default. But ESG often promotes agendas that contradict Catholic moral teaching, especially when it comes to life, marriage, family, and religious liberty.

⚠️ ESG isn’t inherently Catholic — and it often lacks moral clarity.

For example, some ESG funds avoid fossil fuels but include companies that fund abortion providers or support anti-religious initiatives. Catholic investors deserve better.

At Aquinas Wealth, we don’t rely on vague “socially responsible” labels. Instead, we screen investments through a Catholic moral lens, grounded in the Catechism and the ethical investment guidelines issued by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

📖 Catholic investing begins with moral theology — not market trends.

Faithful investing isn’t about checking a box. It’s about using authentic discernment to build portfolios that honor both your values and your financial goals.

This myth stems from an older reality. A decade ago, values-aligned investing often meant choosing between a single mutual fund or giving up returns. But things have changed — dramatically.

🛠️ From screened ETFs to Catholic-managed portfolios, the toolkit is no longer limited.

At Aquinas Wealth, we offer access to a wide range of faith-aligned investments — including actively managed portfolios, low-cost funds, and retirement account strategies that support life-affirming ventures.

There’s no need to feel stuck choosing between your conscience and your financial future. Whether you’re just starting out or managing a large portfolio, custom solutions exist.

✅ You don’t need to settle — you need to know where to look.

At Aquinas Wealth, we can help you find them.

This myth is perhaps the most damaging of all. It’s easy to feel like your portfolio is just a drop in the ocean. But investing is not neutral — and where you place your money speaks volumes.

Every investment choice either funds virtue or funds vice.

Imagine the collective impact if just a fraction of the 61 ³ million Catholics in the U.S. shifted their portfolios away from companies violating Church teaching. That’s billions of dollars — redirected toward life, dignity, and truth.

Catholic investing is more than screens and scores. It’s a form of modern-day stewardship. Your money can serve the Gospel — or work against it. And when you invest faithfully, you do more than grow your wealth. You make your beliefs heard.

✝️ “The faithful steward understands that everything — even wealth — is entrusted to us for God’s purposes.”

You don’t have to be wealthy. You just have to be willing.

At Aquinas Wealth we help make sure your voice is heard. When we identify investments that don’t align with catholic values and we move your money out of those investments, we then notify the company in question with specifics on what drove our decision to leave them and what they need to change.