Restorative justice is a way of understanding crime in terms of the people and relationships that were harmed, rather than the law that was broken. Restorative justice values human dignity, healing and the hope of redemption for all involved.
Restorative practices involve those most impacted by a harm in transformative encounter. Beyond the criminal justice system, there are countless opportunities use restorative practices in our personal lives, parishes, and communities.
Restorative justice has been at the heart of CMN’s mission since the organization’s inception because of its relationship with families who are directly affected by the death penalty. Their personal stories and lived experience with restorative encounter echo the profoundly transformative gospel message of forgiveness and reconciliation.
The death penalty is an affront to human dignity in its blatant destruction of human life and its disproportionate use upon people who are poor and marginalized. Capital punishment is the epitome of punitive practice that offers no possibility for redemption, only perpetuating a culture of death. Restorative justice helps us to envision creative ways to address harm that promote hope, healing, and human dignity. As society embraces more restorative approaches to harm, the use of the death penalty will move even closer to its inevitable end.
CMN works to increase understanding and engagement in restorative justice practices among Catholics. Through educational materials, spiritual formation, and sharing stories, CMN inspires Catholics to apply the principles and practices of restorative justice in their parishes, ministries, and public life to transform our broken criminal justice system.
Recognizing that there are many ways to walk alongside, minister to and advocate for those impacted by crime, CMN seeks to transform harm and violence by promoting:
Use of restorative practices such as circle process and victim-offender dialogue that include all parties impacted (harmed party, responsible party, and community members) to the greatest extent possible
A focus on root-causes of violence including experiences of trauma
Awareness of marginalization based on race and the role it plays in perpetuating cycles of incarceration
2019 got off to a rapid start at CMN. Within a month of the new year, we had pulled together an incredibly successful film screening, our first-ever Restorative Justice Circles Intensive, two dynamic workshops at the annual Catholic Social Ministry Gathering in Washington, DC.
Here's a closer look at everything CMN's been up to this winter.
It’s a new year and that means there's a lot in the works at Catholic Mobilizing Network! In 2019, CMN will continue building capacity for people of faith to engage in restorative practices, transforming our Church and the U.S. criminal justice system.
Catholic Mobilizing Network's Development Manager is a full-time position based in Washington, DC. The Development Manager oversees all organizational development activities, in collaboration with the Executive Director and the Board of Directors. This position seeks to ensure that CMN has the financial resources necessary to accomplish its mission to end the death penalty and promote restorative justice. In order to track and steward CMN’s resources responsibly and strategically, the Development Manager takes leadership in the following areas:
A Reflection on the Fourth Sunday of Advent.
Advent is a time of great hope as we anticipate the birth of our Holy Redeemer — the one who will proclaim Life, and will ultimately suffer execution for us, at the hands of the State.
A Reflection on the Third Sunday in Advent.
This is the question that opens this Sunday’s Gospel: "What should we do?"
Faith is not a light which scatters all our darkness, but a lamp which guides our steps in the night and suffices for the journey. – Pope Francis
"Thank you, Lord, for the witness of those who inflicted suffering and who ask for forgiveness; for the witness of those who suffered unjustly and who forgive.
Abolition State 
Moratorium State 
Moratorium State Seeking Legislation 
Active State 
Active State Seeking LegislationFederal Death Penalty Info
