[Mrs. Don-o]

I think you're referring to the latest encyclical, “Caritas in Veritate,” or “Charity in Truth.” It has a very full and solid section on subsidiarity, which is the principle that social responsibilities are always to be handled by the smallest, lowest or least centralized competent authority. Pope Benedict goes on to say this:

“Subsidiarity is the most effective antidote against any form of all encompassing welfare state…In order not to produce a dangerous universal power of a tyrannical nature, the governance of globalization must be marked by subsidiarity, articulated into several layers and involving different levels that can work together.

“Globalization certainly requires authority, insofar as it poses the problem of a global common good that needs to be pursued. This authority, however, must be organized in a subsidiary and stratified way, if it is not to infringe upon freedom and if it is to yield effective results in practice.”

I think the problem many have -— and it’s an understandable one -— is that most of us haven’t the time, the sustained interest, or the analytical ability to read and digest a 30,000 word encyclical. So people glom onto some Reuters take-away quote, never noting that it’s in the midst of a much larger argument dealing with the crying need for localized and personalized initiative and responsibility.

[Judith Anne]

There y’all GO, gittin’ all rational, and intelligent, and perceptive an’ all.

It’s enough to make a body smile. :D

[Mad Dawg]

Very good. Thanks.