Teaching

One of the four permanent principles of the Church's social doctrine: subsidiarity is the participation of the people directly affected by a problem in the solution-making process.

"It is impossible to promote the dignity of the person without showing concern for the family, groups, associations, local territorial realities; in short, for that aggregate of economic, social, cultural, sports-oriented, recreational, professional and political expressions to which people spontaneously give life and which make it possible for them to achieve effective social growth." Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, no. 185

"In accordance with the principle of subsidiarity, neither the state nor any larger society should substitute itself for the initiative and responsibility of individuals and intermediary bodies."
Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1894