Subsidiarity, one of the four permanent principles of Catholic Social Doctrine, is a core principle of the Society of St Vincent de Paul. [Rule, Part I, 3.9] Subsidiarity serves the poor by allowing the flexibility that fosters creativity to Conferences and serves good governance by avoiding what Frédéric called “bureaucracies which impede our march by multiplying our machinery.” [310, to Amélie, 1841] It could also be said that servant leadership is the central exercise in subsidiarity, leaving, as it does, the decisions not to the presidents of Conferences and Councils, but to the members.

Emmanuel Bailly, first Conference President and first President of the Council of Direction (now known as the International Council General) offered one of the earliest explanations of how subsidiarity guides and strengthens our organization, explaining that a Council “is rather a link than a power” and that “all this has been imposed on no one, all is freely accepted, followed, and may be abandoned.” [Bailly, Circ. Ltr., 1841] Frédéric also emphasized the importance of local decision-making, explaining to a new Conference that “knowledge of our organization [in Paris] and manner of acting is not of great use to you. Your city probably has different needs than the capital and provides different resources.” [82, to Curnier, 1834] Councils, in other words, do not supervise or direct Conferences. Instead, “Councils exist to serve all the Conferences they coordinate.” [Rule, Part I, 3.6]

Leaders in the Society seek to imitate Jesus, who calls us “to wash one another’s feet. I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do.” Servant leaders in the Society are not called to be bosses or commanders and are not expected to be “large and in charge.” They are instead called to be “small and for all,” not directing, but fulfilling the will of their Conferences and Councils, expressed through consensus of the members. Leaders, St. Vincent taught, should be “firm and unchanging with regard to the end but gentle and humble as to the means.” [CCD II: 332]

Within our Conferences, subsidiarity calls us to respect each Home Visit team’s “special insight into the best way to give help” to the neighbors they personally visit. [Manual, p.24] Our default is to leave that decision to those closest to it. In turn, all Members are called not to be served, but to serve, placing the needs of the neighbor before their own, recognizing that whatever we do for the least among us, we do for our Savior, who assured us that He was Himself among us as one who serves.

Our Cultural Beliefs declare that we are One Society, our Mission Statement says we are a network of friends, and our first President reminds us that “from the Conferences to the Center, there is neither authority nor obedience” but rather, there is “charity; there are the same end, the same good works; there is a union of hearts in Jesus Christ our Lord.” [Bailly, Circ. Ltr. 1841] Subsidiarity and servant leadership, then, are pure expressions of Christian love.

Contemplate

As a Member and leader, do I seek always to humbly regard others as more important than myself?

By Timothy Williams,
Senior Director of Formation & Leadership Development
Society of St. Vincent de Paul USA.