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To: NYer

>> In a nutshell, the principal of subsidiarity states that matters impacting the human person should be addressed by the smallest, least centralized, most localized, competent personal authority possible. The opposite situation is realized when personal affairs are managed by larger; more centralized and detached public authorities.

The Vatican is a large, centralized, detatched, global religious authority ...

SnakeDoc


3 posted on 12/17/2009 10:16:20 AM PST by SnakeDoctor ("Ask not for a lighter burden, but for broader shoulders.")
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To: SnakeDoctor
"The Vatican is a large, centralized, detatched, global religious authority ..."

But the local parish Priest and charitable laypeople are not.

5 posted on 12/17/2009 11:02:21 AM PST by Ol' Sox
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To: SnakeDoctor; NYer
For one thing, a religious organization is a voluntary association that does not wield temporal power. The principal of subsidiarity is essentially a principle limiting temporal power: the power of the state primarily, and the power of those holding elective and appointive political office. These are the sorts of organization which, even if they get too big, you can't opt ot of them: thus subsidiarity has its most important applications in political situations.

Moreover, the Catholic Churchs not in fact centralized as to ownership or management. For instance, there are about 3,000 dioceses in the world, and these do not function as mere franchisees or branch offices of Rome, but each as a jurisdictional unit with its own authority, while recognizing doctrinal unity and the rights of every baptized person spelled out in detail in Canon Law.

Catholic religious orders are separate entities. Catholic Universities are separate entities. Catholic hospitals are separate entities. Most Catholic social services are incorporated separately as well.

Yes, the Catholic Church is certainly centralized in its claims of teaching authority on quesitons of faith and morals. Adherance to such teachings is on a voluntary basis. If you don't like it, you can leave, and nobody will issue a fatwa or any temporal penalty.

That's quite different from the assertion the Catholic Church has a centralized, unitary principle of organization, jurisdiction, and operating program. That notion lacks a basis either in theory or in practice.

7 posted on 12/17/2009 11:12:07 AM PST by Mrs. Don-o (My contribution to reality-based argument.)
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To: SnakeDoctor
The Vatican is a large, centralized, detatched, global religious authority ...

How can you say that? It's an observation, but I'm afraid you're biased. The Vatican, the Holy See, and the Magisterium have authority over CATHOLICS, but not over a secular global population. And Catholics are free to leave if they so desire [although it appears that those who might be best served by leaving think they can change The Church, which they cannot]. As for "detached" they strive now, more than ever, to remain closely attached to Scripture and Tradition. They're "detached" in your opinion, perhaps. But "detached" from whom or what?

The Catholic Church has a rich and vivid history which I invite you to read.
12 posted on 12/17/2009 7:50:59 PM PST by HighlyOpinionated (Abortion-Euthanasia kills the very people for whom Social Justice is needed.)
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