The Principle of Subsidiarity in Catholic Social Thought: Implications for Social Justice and Civil Society in Nigeria

The Principle of Subsidiarity in Catholic Social Thought: Implications for Social Justice and Civil Society in Nigeria provides a theoretical and practical framework for a just vision of society. It focuses on how support for individuals and social groups in Nigeria can foster the building of their communities through the practice of social justice. Social justice will ensure the building of trust across ethnic lines, challenge corruption, encourage accountability and servant leadership, protect minority tribes from larger ones, and promote grassroots self-help tribal, communal, religious, and non-governmental associations as agents of positive social change and development. These dynamics interact within a healthy federal structure that respects its constituent parts for the common good. This volume is recommended as a graduate text for courses in theology, religious education, and social philosophy, and for all interested in promoting the common good.

Simeon Tsetim Iber is a Catholic priest of the Diocese of Makurdi in Benue State, Nigeria. He currently teaches theology at St. Thomas Aquinas Major Seminary Makurdi. Dr. Iber earned his doctoral degree in systematic theology at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh. His major areas of research are Catholic social teaching, church and state, social ethics, and religion and society. He previously studied at St. Augustine’s Major Seminary in Jos, University of Calabar, and the University of Jos. In addition, Dr. Iber served in the Archdiocese of Detroit for about a decade as campus minister and administrator of St. Mary Parish, Port Huron. He is passionately engaged in community service to support vulnerable Nigerian youths and women through the Center for Development and Social Justice, Makurdi.