February 24, 2014 Editor

Creating New Hearts: Moving From Retributive to Restorative Justice

New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference: A Pastoral Letter to the Catholic People of New Zealand
Wednesday August 30, 1995 – Wellington.
Signed, The New Zealand Catholic Bishops

This call was powerful and prophetic.

An excerpt:

Restoration was the primary focus of biblical justice systems. Despite the widely popular misuse of the concept of lex talionis, the law of proportionality, as expressed in the notion ‘an eye for an eye,’ biblical tradition has a restorative focus. It was based on the need to seek shalom, the peace and well-being of the whole people. Shalom does not simply mean the absence of conflict. It means peace combined with justice and right relationships. The Law was there to seek, protect and promote shalom.

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Editor

Wayne Northey was Director of Man-to-Man/Woman-to-Woman – Restorative Christian Ministries (M2/W2) in British Columbia, Canada from 1998 to 2014, when he retired. He has been active in the criminal justice arena and a keen promoter of Restorative Justice since 1974. He has published widely on peacemaking and justice themes. You will find more about that on this website: a work in progress.

Always appreciate constructive feedback! Thanks.