Saints LightSubsidiarity and Solidarity: How Do They Fit Together?
Subsidiarity keeps decisions and help as close to people as possible; solidarity insists we never stop caring for each other; we need both at once.
What this lesson teaches
- Subsidiarity: larger bodies should support, not absorb, what smaller communities can do.
- Solidarity: a firm commitment to the good of all, because we are responsible for one another.
- Each principle corrects the distortions of the other.
- Together they challenge both indifference and overcentralization.
Catechism paragraphs this lesson cites
- CCC 1883
- CCC 1885
- CCC 1894
- CCC 1939-1942
CCC means the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Saints Light teaches it in its own words and never quotes it. Look up any paragraph in a printed copy or at vatican.va. See every lesson by paragraph in the Catechism index.
Scripture read in this lesson: Galatians 6:2; Exodus 18:22.
A sample question from this lesson
What does the principle of subsidiarity teach?
- The state should handle all social problems directly
- Larger communities should support, not take over, what smaller ones can do
- Only private charity, never government, should help people
- Each person should solve their problems entirely alone
Show the answer
Larger communities should support, not take over, what smaller ones can do. Subsidiarity limits higher bodies from absorbing the proper work of smaller ones, while asking them to help when needed (CCC 1883).
The lesson in the app has three questions, each with an explanation.
Words to know
- Subsidiarity
- The principle that higher communities should support, not replace, the proper work of smaller ones.
- Solidarity
- A firm commitment to the good of all, rooted in our real responsibility for one another.
More terms in the Catholic glossary. More passages in the Scripture index.
Read the full lesson in the app
"Subsidiarity and Solidarity: How Do They Fit Together?" is lesson 4 of Catholic Social Teaching. In Saints Light you get the whole teaching, the Scripture quoted in full, all three questions and a step to live it this week.
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