Word power
Sir: To find out what `subsidiarity' is, Sandra Barwick (` "I want to see the Kingdom of God" ', 24 November) need look no further than her own text: it is a `commitment to decisions being taken at the lowest possible level', as she quotes David Alton as saying. The idea has been much bandied about by Euro- constitutionists. The Papal encyclical `Quadragessimo Anno' has this to say on the 'Doctrine of Subsidiarity': . . it is an injustice, a grave evil and a disturbance of right order for a larger and higher associa- tion to arrogate to itself functions which can be performed efficiently by smaller and lower societies. This is a fundamental principle of social philosophy, unshaken and unchangeable.'
So now you know. Nothing to do with being unselfish.
A.J.R. Shaw
18 The Boltons, London SW10
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