What You [Catholics] Need to Know: Subsidiarity, [Catholic/Orthodox Caucus]

CatholicCulture.org ^ | not given | CatholicCulture.org

[Salvation]

What You Need to Know:

Subsidiarity

The social teaching of the Church is based on the human person as the principle, subject and object of every social organization. Subsidiarity is one of the core principles of this teaching. This principle holds that human affairs are best handled at the lowest possible level, closest to the affected pesons.

It is easiest to begin with the Catechism of the Catholic Church, which enunciates the prinicple of subsidiarity in the context of man's social nature. When the principle of subsidiarity is ignored, governments often overstep their bounds in managing matters best handled on a more local or individual level. Typically this decreases economy, efficiency, liberty and the personal character of the social order.

An explanation of the importance of subsidiarity in balancing governmental policies can be found in a fine overview of Catholic social teaching by Christopher Kaczor, Ph.D. The link below leads directly to Part V, but the other parts summarize other aspects of the Church's social doctrine equally well.

Part IV of Chapter Four of the The Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church provides a more thorough theoretical exploration of the principle of subsidiarity. The Compendium is also an official ecclesiastical source for the full range of Catholic social teaching.

If you only have time to look at three things, LOOK AT THESE.

1. Subsidiarity Defined (Catechism)
2. Observe the Principle of Subsidiarity
3. Subsidiarity in the Compendium of Catholic Social Doctrine

And if you've got more time...

Since we tend to be conditioned to our own culture's handling of social questions, it can be difficult to see how things might be arranged differently under the influence of the Church's social teaching. Specific examples can be most helpful in learning to think outside the cultural box. Toward this end, Bernard Cullen's admirable analysis of subsidiarity and the management of schools is well worth careful reflection: A Practical Case: School Governance.

[Salvation]

Another entry in the "What You Catholics Need to Know" series.

And very applicable right now.

[Salvation]

This is a Catholic/Orthodox Caucus thread. Please follow the Religion Moderator's Guidelines for Catholic/Orthodox Threads

[Salvation]

Catechism

1882 Certain societies, such as the family and the state, correspond more directly to the nature of man; they are necessary to him. To promote the participation of the greatest number in the life of a society, the creation of voluntary associations and institutions must be encouraged "on both national and international levels, which relate to economic and social goals, to cultural and recreational activities, to sport, to various professions, and to political affairs." 5 This "socialization" also expresses the natural tendency for human beings to associate with one another for the sake of attaining objectives that exceed individual capacities. It develops the qualities of the person, especially the sense of initiative and responsibility, and helps guarantee his rights. 6

1883 Socialization also presents dangers. Excessive intervention by the state can threaten personal freedom and initiative. The teaching of the Church has elaborated the principle of subsidiarity, according to which "a community of a higher order should not interfere in the internal life of a community of a lower order, depriving the latter of its functions, but rather should support it in case of need and help to co- ordinate its activity with the activities of the rest of society, always with a view to the common good." 7

Notes:

5 John XXIII, MM 60.

6 Cf. GS 25 § 2; CA 12.

7 CA 48 § 4; cf. Pius XI, Quadragesimo anno I, 184-186.

[Salvation]

Catholic Discussion Ping!

Please notify me via FReepmail if you would like to be added to or taken off the Catholic Discussion Ping List.

[Salvation]

Catholic Word of the Day: SOCIAL SIN, 07-08-09

Catholic Word of the Day: SUBSIDIARITY, 06-11-09

[Servant of the Cross]

Salvation - Timely indeed. You are the best. God bless,

[Salvation]

 

 

1:

CCC Search Result - Paragraph # 1885  (249 bytes )  preview document matches 5 The principle of subsidiarity is opposed to all forms of collectivism. It sets limits for state intervention. It aims at harmonizing the relationships between individuals URL: http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/1885.htm

96%

2:

CCC Search Result - Paragraph # 1894  (194 bytes )  preview document matches 4 In accordance with the principle of subsidiarity, neither the state nor any larger society should substitute itself for the initiative and responsibility of individuals URL: http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/1894.htm

96%

3:

CCC Search Result - Paragraph # 1883  (524 bytes )  preview document matches freedom and initiative. The teaching of the Church has elaborated the principle of subsidiarity, according to which "a community of a higher order should not interfere URL: http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/1883.htm

95%

4:	CCC Search Result - Paragraph # 2209  (367 bytes )  preview document matches helping them and of supporting the institution of the family. Following the principle of subsidiarity, larger communities should take care not to usurp the family's URL: http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/2209.htm

[Salvation]

Thank you, warrior of the faith!

[Salvation]

Best Pro-Life Quotes from Pope Benedict XVI's New Encyclical Encycli-bites for reading “Caritas in veritate”

In new encyclical Pope Benedict slams population control, urges openness to life

The New Encyclical [Cairtas in Veritate -- Love and Truth] {Ecumenical]

AP, Reuters Go Full Tilt in Spinning Latest Writing of Pope

Caritatis [sic] in Veritate: papal encyclical calls for new moral approach to global economy (CWN)

Supreme Knight criticizes use of Pope's encyclical for political agendas

Benedict XVI explains gifts and limitations of free market economy

Benedict XVI Tightens Up the Church's Social Teaching

Excerpts from Pope Benedict XVI New Encyclical "CARITAS IN VERITATE" (CHARITY AND TRUTH)

Love for others requires involvement in politics, pope says

[Antoninus]

Impossible to understand the recent encyclical without understanding this principle.

[Salvation]

What You [Catholics] Need to Know: Subsidiarity, [Catholic/Orthodox Caucus]
What You [Catholics] Need to Know: Trinity [Catholic/Orthodox Caucus]
What You [Catholics] Need to Know: Tradition [Catholic/Orthodox Caucus]
What You [Catholics] Need to Know: Abortion
What You [Catholics] Need to Know: Baptism [Catholic/Orthodox Caucus]

What You [Catholics] Need to Know: Penance (Reconciliation, Confession) [Catholic/Orthodox Caucus]
What You [Catholics] Need to Know: Priesthood (Holy Orders) [Catholic-Orthodox Caucus]
What You {Catholics} Need to Know: Celibacy [Catholic/Orthodox Caucus]
What You {Catholics} Need to Know: Mass (Sacred Liturgy) [Catholic/Orthodox Caucus]
What You [Catholics] Need to Know: The Vatican (or Holy See) [Catholic-Orthodox Caucus]

What You [Catholics] Need to Know: Marriage
What You [Catholics] Need to Know: Eucharistic Mystery [Catholic/Orthodox Caucus]
What You [Catholics] Need to Know: Eucharist (Real Presence) [Catholic/Orthodox Caucus]
[What Every Catholic Needs to Know about] Gaining Indulgences [Catholic/Orthodox Caucus]
What You [Catholics] Need to Know: Deacons and the Diaconate[Catholic-Orthodox Caucus]

[Salvation]

Absolutely.

[FourtySeven]

Thank you for this; this should prove most educational!

[RobbyS]

Liberalism since the 1880s has been against any institution that contests the allegiance of the individual with the state. This includes, families, churches and corporations. The Church says that the family is the basic unity of society, then the Church and other voluntary associations and employers. Socialists have always thought of society as no more than collectives of individuals divided into economic classes. Conservatives have historically allied with the Church to oppose collectivism. Liberal Catholics generally go against what the Church teaches, as they tend to compromise and to allow state bureaucracies.
to taker the lead in such matters as education and social services.

[Dajjal]

bumpus ad summum