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1. INTRODUCTION
authority and effectiveness will be the happier and more prosperous the
condition of the State.”!°°
The principle of subsidiarity was further refined in the second half of the
20th century. Pope John Paul II’s encyclical Centesimus Annus (199199
reaffirmed the importance of the principle in the context of globalization and
modern social challenges, emphasizing that subsidiarity is not just important
for efficiency, but also for human dignity and participation.
“Malfunctions and defects in the Social Assistance State are the result of
an inadequate understanding of the tasks proper to the State. Here again
the principle of subsidiarity must be respected: 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 coordinate its activity with the activities of the
rest of society, always with a view to the common good.”!”
Pope Benedict XVI, in his encyclical Caritas in Veritate (2009),'° also highlights
the link between subsidiarity and solidarity, pointing out that it is important
for human development and social justice that larger communities support
smaller ones, while providing them with the opportunity to act independently.
“A particular manifestation of charity and a guiding criterion for fraternal
cooperation between believers and non-believers is undoubtedly the principle
of subsidiarity[137], an expression of inalienable human freedom. (...) Hence
the principle of subsidiarity is particularly well-suited to managing
globalization and directing it towards authentic human development.”!™*
Pope Francis, in his encyclicals Laudato Si’ (2015) and Fratelli Tutti (2020),'%
interpreted subsidiarity in conjunction with global solidarity and environmental
responsibility, emphasizing the role of local communities in solving global
problems.!”
10 Thid.., e.g. §79-80.
101 John Paul II, Centesimus annus, 793-867.
12 Tbid., e.g.$ 48.
15 Pope Benedict XVI, Caritas in Veritate, 641-709.
104 Tbid., e.g. § 57.
105 Francis. 2015. Laudato si’, 887-945.
146 Pope Francis, Fratelli Tutti: Apostolic Letter on Fraternity and Social Friendship (Vatican City:
Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 2020), https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/encyclicals/
documents/papa-francesco_20201003_enciclica-fratelli-tutti.html.
See, Lóránd Ujházi, "Az irgalmas szeretet gyakorlásának jogi és intézményi keretei a Kato¬
likus Egyházban = Promoting Charity and Social Sustainability in the Church’s Legal and
Institutional System," Humán Innovációs Szemle 16, no. 1 (2025): 21-47.
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