Roman Catholics And Restorative Justice

Roman Catholics and Restorative Justice

In recent years, restorative justice has emerged as a “moral squint” in Roman Catholic social teaching. While the Church may not explicitly teach much on restorative justice, when it has spoken, it has been clear and forceful on this concept. This was demonstrated by the United States Bishops’ statement,” Responsibility, Rehabilitation, and Restoration”. The concept of Society in its self is changing with the rise in immigration, emigration, and globalization. Each of these processes has presented its challenges as Belize is becoming more pluralistic, diverse and multicultural. Restorative Justice with its principles of repentance, forgiveness and reconciliation is a deeply spiritual process. According to the Council of

These principles include forgiveness, compassion, peace, love and unity that are fostered in the Roman Catholic denomination. Belizean Roman Catholics embrace totally different views than what their Church is stating. 13 of the 15 Belizean Roman Catholics in the survey believed that offenders should be punished through confinement and long prison sentences. The Roman Catholic message of salvation and healing has been misrepresented by many of its followers. The Christian way of life is pre-eminently a restorative one. This was preached by Jesus, who in the Roman Catholic Religion was the saviour of man who taught them to forgive, reconcile, and love each other. The Roman Catholic have many verses in the bible through which they preach the concept of restorative justice. This can be demonstrated in Mathew Chapter 5 verses 7- 8 “ Blessed are the merciful, for they shall be shown mercy, Blessed the pure in heart as they will see God”. These biblical verses further clarify that the Roman Catholics are in full support of these restorative initiatives. Pope John Paul II taught the world about healing and reconciliation by going in person to his would-be assassin whom he