MT. ANGEL, Ore. -- The nuns in Mt. Angel no longer wear habits, but as shareholders, they're trying to change the financial habits at Goldman Sachs.
At the Benedictine Monastery, the Sisters are always busy, be it tending the grounds, making and selling their own mustard, or taking on global financial giant, Goldman Sachs.
"If you get a million dollars for a salary, do you need $27 million for a bonus?" Asked Sister Marietta Schindler, who said she didn't think so. As the monastery's treasurer, Schindler invested part of the nuns' retirement fund in Goldman Sachs. The sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia did the same and together as shareholders, they filed a pay disparity resolution against the company.
"(Goldman Sachs executives ) have laughed at us," said Schindler. "They don't take us seriously, but if we can speak out, others will speak out."
Schindler hoped that would happen on Friday during Goldman Sachs' annual shareholders meeting.
"I would hope we'd tweak their conscience, maybe and we won't be the only ones there to tweak," Schindler said.
Goldman Sachs is already under fraud investigation for allegedly betting against its own companies. But is taking Goldman Sachs to task the Lord's work? Schindler thought so. You might even call the financial giant a "Goliath" to the sisters' "David."
"Or a little mouse that squeaks," added Schindler.
And the sisters were squeaking loudest about social injustice. The monastery spends most of its time and money feeding the hungry and housing the homeless. Schindler said they could do a lot with a $27 million, but would settle for some change.
"If we can change one person's attitude, that's a start," she said.
