Paths of Renewed Encounter: Engaging Restorative Justice in Catholic Parishes and Ministry

In Fratelli Tutti, Pope Francis affirms the need for, "men and women prepared to work boldly and creatively to initiate processes of healing and renewed encounter." Restorative justice does this, honoring the human dignity of all those impacted by harm, violence, and incarceration. This session will examine foundational concepts of restorative justice as a lived expression of Catholic social teaching that transforms individuals, relationships, and systems. As the Holy Father calls upon the global Church to "bind up wounds" through synodality, participants will gain key insights, tools, and resources for restorative justice engagement in Catholic parishes and ministries.

Caitlin Morneau is Director of Restorative Justice at Catholic Mobilizing Network (CMN), inviting Catholics to engage healing and reparative approaches to harm and violence. Caitlin was the lead creator of CMN's faith formation guide, "Harm, Healing and Human Dignity: A Catholic Encounter with Restorative Justice" (Liturgical Press, 2019) and "Paths of Renewed Encounter: A Restorative Justice Engagement Guide for Catholic Communities." Caitlin holds an MA in Conflict Transformation from the Center for Justice and Peacebuilding at Eastern Mennonite University.