Restorative justice is a voluntary and safe process that brings together those affected by harm. The process allows all participants to understand the impacts of the harmful action — and what is needed to make things right.
Restorative justice can be a transformative and healing experience.
Felix's Story
What is Restorative Justice?
This one-page handout gives an introductory overview of restorative justice and opportunities to apply restorative practices in Catholic ministry. Use copies to complement an educational program or spread the word about restorative justice in your parish and community. Download here >>
Catholic Social Teaching and Restorative Justice
Rooted in both Scripture and the rich tradition of our faith, Catholic social teaching is a guide for how to live as a people of justice and mercy. Catholic social teaching brings the teachings of Jesus and his call to discipleship to the larger societal conversation of social justice.
Catholic social teaching has seven major themes: Dignity of the Human Person; Call to Family, Community, and Participation; Rights and Responsibilities; Preferential Option for and with People who are Poor; Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers; Solidarity; Care for God's Creation.
All of these principles are evident in restorative justice, “an approach to achieving justice that involves, to the extent possible, those who have a stake in a specific offense or harm to collectively identify and address harms, needs, and obligations in order to heal and put things as right as possible.”
In addition to repairing the harm done by wrongful behavior, restorative justice also fosters skills and attitudes that make injustice less likely to occur and easier to repair when it does. Learn More >>
Encounters With Dignity: A Podcast on Restorative Justice
Encounters With Dignity is the podcast bringing you the stories, learnings, and actionable wisdom from people who are, well, “doing” restorative justice. Listen here >>
Asking Restorative Questions
All of us have caused harm at some point in our lives; so too have we been harmed by others. When that happens, we have the opportunity to embrace a restorative mindset and pursue responses to the harm that model Jesus' reconciling way.
To accomplish this, asking a series of restorative questions can help us begin discerning how to repair the damage done.
CMN's Restorative Questions Card is sized to fit in your pocket or wallet and is meant to be carried with you. Download yours here >>