Thursday, June 5, 2008

Subsidiarity in New Orleans

One of the great principles of Catholic social teaching is the principle of subsidiarity, which teaches:

“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."

And with the help of Brad Pitt, Harry Connick Jr., Habitat for Humanity, and the stimulus of the attempt by the local government to dictate how the houses in New Orleans could be rebuilt, the principle is thriving and the city is rebuilding.