Bogoslovska smotra, Vol. 81 No. 4, 2011.
Original scientific paper
Applying Subsidiarity in Church Life of the Laymen/ Laywomen Faithful in Croatia According to Empirical Research of Subsidiarity
Stjepan Baloban
orcid.org/0000-0002-3138-3222
; Catholic Faculty of Theology, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Abstract
The notion and meaning of the principle of subsidiarity has for some time received greater attention in social life particularly within the European Union. Seeing that the principle of subsidiarity as a social-philosophical principle emerged within the social teachings of the Church (Pius XI., Quadragesima anno, 1931.) and that Pope Pius XII in 1946 emphasised that that principle applies to the life of the Church as well we question its application in ecclesial life. Discussion about this topic in theological-ecclesial speech has not ended but has in some way weakened after the Second Extraordinary Synod of Bishops in Rome (1985). Based on the results of empirical research of subsidiarity conducted in Croatia in December 2009, the author deals with the application of subsidiarity in the ecclesial life of the laymen/laywomen faithful in Croatia. After introduction with the first point which indicates the theoretical basis for the discussion of the application of subsidiarity in ecclesial life which the author dealt with in an article entitled »Possibilities of subsidiarity in ecclesial life«, this article deals with the data of empirical research and presumptions of subsidiary behaviour: level of understanding, possible influences, taking responsibility, trust and participation. The results confirm both hypotheses. First, despite the low understanding of the principle of subsidiarity in Croatia certain forms of subsidiary behaviour can be seen in ecclesial life of laymen/lay women faithful. Second, through subsidiary behaviour Croatian laymen/laywomen faithful can more easily be involved in ecclesial life in Croatia. As a result the laymen/laywomen faithful in Croatia are ready for subsidiary engagement in ecclesial life. Moreover, they believe that they have a greater opportunity to influence decision making in the Church than they do in social life. The fundamental question is how can Church's leadership enable them to be involved in ecclesial life based on the principle of subsidiarity in Croatia? The most significant contribution of this article consists in the fact that Croatian laymen/laywomen faithful are prepared to be active in ecclesial life in terms of the principle of subsidiarity.
Keywords
subsidiarity; presumptions for subsidiarity; subsidiary behaviour; taking responsibility; possible influence; readiness to participate
Hrčak ID:
76016
URI
Publication date:
11.1.2012.
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