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A Study of the Principle of Subsidiarity in Catholic Social Thought: Implications for Social Justice and Civil Society in Nigeria Simeon Iber

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A Study of the Principle of Subsidiarity in Catholic Social Thought: Implications for Social Justice and Civil Society in Nigeria Simeon Iber Duquesne University Duquesne Scholarship Collection Electronic Theses and Dissertations Fall 2004 A Study of the Principle of Subsidiarity in Catholic Social Thought: Implications for Social Justice and Civil Society in Nigeria Simeon Iber Follow this and additional works at: https://dsc.duq.edu/etd Recommended Citation Iber, S. (2004). A Study of the Principle of Subsidiarity in Catholic Social Thought: Implications for Social Justice and Civil Society in Nigeria (Doctoral dissertation, Duquesne University). Retrieved from https://dsc.duq.edu/etd/676 This Immediate Access is brought to you for free and open access by Duquesne Scholarship Collection. It has been accepted for inclusion in Electronic Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Duquesne Scholarship Collection. For more information, please contact [email protected]. A STUDY OF THE PRINCIPLE OF SUBSIDIARITY IN CATHOLIC SOCIAL THOUGHT: IMPLICATIONS FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND CIVIL SOCIETY IN NIGERIA A Dissertation Presented to the Faculty of the Department of Theology McAnulty College and Graduate School of Liberal Arts Duquesne University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy by Simeon Tsetim Iber October 8, 2004 ii Name Simeon Tsetim Iber Title A Study of the Principle of Subsidiarity in Catholic Social Thought: Implications for Social Justice and Civil Society in Nigeria Degree Ph.D. in Systematic Theology Date October 8, 2004 APPROVED ______________________________________________________ Dr. James P. Hanigan, Dissertation Director Professor of Moral Theology APPROVED ______________________________________________________ Dr. Maureen R. O’Brien, First Reader Assistant Professor of Theology & Director of Pastoral Ministry APPROVED ______________________________________________________ Dr. David F. Kelly, Second Reader Professor of Theology & Director of Health Care Ethics APPROVED ______________________________________________________ Dr. Luke Mbefo, C.S.Sp. Third Reader Associate Professor of Theology APPROVED ______________________________________________________ Dr. Michael Slusser, Professor of Theology Chair, Department of Theology APPROVED ______________________________________________________ Francesco C. Cesareo, Ph.D., Dean McAnulty College and Graduate School of Liberal Arts iii Name: Simeon Tsetim Iber Title: A Study of the Principle of Subsidiarity in Catholic Social Thought: Implications for Social Justice and Civil Society in Nigeria Abstract This dissertation examined the centrality of the principle of subsidiarity in Catholic social teaching, in bringing about social and moral reconstruction of society and in particular the Nigerian social context. The origin of this principle has been traced to the natural human inclination to build a healthy relationship between the individual and society, such that, the society will provide generous help and support to individuals to help themselves. Subsidiarity is a way of organizing individuals and social groups in community to help each other in pursuing their interests with common goals, the ultimate purpose being to assist one another and uphold the common good. The vision of the common good sees in the human person the personal dignity proper to one’s nature, but directed essentially to others in society. Hence, the common good and the good of the individual do not oppose one another, but the good of the individual whose nature is personal has a dignity proper to itself, but nonetheless is social in character, that is, it is directed to the well-being of others. Thus, the common good is realized through the participation and contribution of the individual to others in society. In this way, the relationship between the individual and the social group remains a question for everybody in a given social context. The study carried out a critical analysis of the Nigerian society and discovered that lack of development at the grassroots, corruption, bribery, ethnic conflicts, failure of iv leadership, and failure of the rule of law have eaten deep into the fabric of the nation. The study recommended that in order to support individuals and social groups to help each other, the practice of social justice is a necessary component to the common good. Social justice will ensure the building of trust across ethnic lines, protect minority tribes from being taken over by larger tribes, promote grassroots participation of the masses by encouraging self-help tribal, community, kinship, religious, and non-governmental associations as agents of positive social change. Moreover, tribal customs and practices that are unjust may and must be re-evaluated in the light of the Gospel message of Jesus who came to serve and not to be served. v Preface This study is timely for appraising the Nigerian social context on three levels. First, the need to re-evaluate traditional cultural norms and practices in the light of Christian faith is essential. Thus, the practice of inculturation in the context of Catholic social teaching will ensure that positive practices in the culture like community living that ensures respect for human dignity, individuals, social groups, ethnic groups and the rule of law are promoted. At the same time, cultural and social practices which encourage ethnic marginalization, corruption, nepotism, and social unrest may and must be rooted out as they serve as barriers to social justice and the common good. Second, the failure of purposeful leadership in Nigeria must be viewed against the tendency to engage in authoritarian rule as a major part of patriarchal cultural practices. The positive challenge which subsidiarity brings to bear on the Nigerian socio-cultural and political scene is to promote decentralization, power sharing, accountability, and open government. The lack of these important virtues has been the bane of leadership in the nation. Third, the social and cultural challenges affecting the nation have caught up with the Church in some areas like lack of accountability, lack of dialogical and open leadership, clericalism, and some form of authoritarian rule. Thus, the challenge for the Church in Nigeria is to be able to speak with a moral and ethical authority that is not suspect because of its tendency to moral bankruptcy. The way forward is through the principle of subsidiarity which will ensure that the relative credibility which the Church still enjoys in proclaiming the Kingdom message of Jesus Christ and the practice of some vi aspects of the social Gospel among the grassroots where the majority of the people reside will provide the major needed hope and help for Nigerians to help themselves at the family, clan, tribal, Church, community, local government, state, and national levels without jeopardizing the common good of all Nigerians. vii Acknowledgments The story of this research work is a true testimony of blessings received, opportunity, and support from mentors, families, individuals, and communities. I am deeply grateful to God revealed in Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit for the wisdom, fortitude, courage, and countless daily blessings through the different people I have encountered while writing this project. May God’s Name be praised forever! My sincere thanks go to Most. Rev. A.A. Usuh, the Catholic Bishop of the Diocese of Makurdi, Nigeria, for the opportunity given me to carry out graduate studies in Systematic Theology at Duquesne University. The lifelong implications of this experience for me in the service of the people of God in the diocese of Makurdi are unimaginable. The professors in the Theology Department in Duquesne University beginning with the chair, Dr. Michael Slusser deserve my utmost respect for their academic integrity, and personal and practical approach to issues both inside and outside the classroom situation. My dissertation director, Dr. James Hanigan, has been an inspiring mentor, an excellent teacher, and a caring friend. I will eternally remember your invaluable advice, critical insights, encouragement, and organizational skills. I am equally grateful to my readers Dr. Maureen O’Brien, Dr. David Kelly and Dr. Luke Mbefo, C.S.Sp. for your very critical and useful comments. I owe a special debt of gratitude to Cathy and Ed Moore for your time, selfless sacrifice, and very helpful comments as you edited this dissertation. This same gratitude goes to Gina and Rick Stobaugh for helping me with the technical aspects of typesetting viii this work and for making me part of your family at very challenging times of my studies in Pittsburgh. Thank you to Karen Wilson for helping with the formatting of such a long document. I extend my thank you to Rev. Joseph Feltz, pastor of St. Anthony’s Church, Monongahela, Pennsylvania and all the parishioners for your love and support during the four years of my residence in the parish. My deep thank you goes to Sr. Margaret Dowd, Rev. Rene Desmarais, and the entire Newman Center Community in Port Huron, Michigan where I have been working as a Campus Chaplain serving St. Clair County Community College for the last three years. Your friendly support, encouragement, and flexibility have made life worthwhile during the period of this research. This same gratitude is extended to my many good friends at St. Joseph Parish in Port Huron for your prayers and kind support. I extend a big thank you to Rev. Stanley Wyczawski and the parishioners of St. Mary Church in Port Huron for your special kindness and support. Thank you to my friends and colleagues studying
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