Restorative Justice

            One of the resolutions adopted at this past summer’s National Convention of the ELCIC addressed Criminal Justice and Correctional Systems in Canada.  One of the approaches that is supported in this resolution is restorative justice.  It just so happens that Restorative Justice Week in Canada is November 15-22, 2015.

            Craig and Marc Kielburger, in an article that appeared in the Winnipeg Free Press not too long ago, give a description of restorative justice that comes from Correctional Services Canada.  It is “’a non-adversarial, non-retributive approach to justice’ that emphasizes healing victims, meaningful accountability for offenders, and including citizens in creating communities that are both safe and healthier.”  They then proceeded to share a specific story about a pair of teenagers who had smashed a window and stolen goods from a hardware store in Lanark County, Ont.

            In this particular case, the theft was resolved using a citizen-run restorative justice forum where the perpetrators faced the store owners in the presence of a trained mediator.  The store owners shared how the crime had affected them, the teen thieves experienced remorse as they heard about the anxiety experienced by the store owners, and all parties agreed on how the teens would make amends.

            The Kielburger’s conclude, “The store owners walked away satisfied with the outcome.  The teens received a fair punishment without the black mark of a criminal record.  And Canadian taxpayers weren’t stuck with a hefty lawyer’s bill.”

            The thing is that our “usual” approach to criminal justice carries a hefty price tag with it and doesn’t actually heal or restore anybody.  It is a retributive approach in which the most common outcome is for the perpetrator to be incarcerated.  In most cases, this does very little to reform the person and instead leads them deeper into a life of crime.

            As Christians, this is well worth considering.  While most of us tend to really like that part that says, “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth,” Jesus actually taught differently.  Rather than revenge, Jesus taught (and showed!) love for enemies (Mt. 5:44) – something that Jesus was able to do but that most of us find to be pretty difficult.  Jesus both taught and exhibited praying for those who persecute you and having an attitude of forgiveness rather than hatred.

            Thus, this November, I invite you to do some thinking about restorative justice and when and where this approach might be helpful.  Keep your eyes open for any Restorative Justice Week events that might be happening in Winnipeg.  Read the resolution on the Criminal Justice and Correctional Systems in Canada from our national convention (available in printed form – binder in narthex - or electronically - http://elcic.ca/Documents/documents/CriminalJusticeMotionFINAL.pdf).  Read the article by Craig and Marc Kielburger which is posted on the bulletin board.

            Our God is all about healing people and restoring relationships.  May we, too, be able to experience the peace that comes with restoration and forgiveness.

                        In Christ,

                        Pastor Lynne Hutchison