Heal

Restorative Justice is a theory of justice that addresses the harm. Restorative justice and healing circles are rooted in the practice of indigenous peoples who sought to solve problems by bringing people together in constructive dialogue. Today, restorative justice and restorative practices are successfully promoted and taught throughout the world. Restorative justice seeks to address harm and promote accountability by bringing folks together in dialogue who have been affected by crime or misconduct.

In the wake of the clergy abuse scandal,  the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis has led a collaborative pilot program on restorative justice and healing in the Twin Cities. This initiative includes Justice Janine Geske, a former Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice and Marquette Law School Professor who has led conversations on restorative justice at the Vatican and throughout the world; Father Daniel Griffith, Pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes and former Delegate for Safe Environment for the Archdiocese; Tim O'Malley, Director of Ministerial Standards for the Archdiocese; and Mark Umbreit, PhD., Director of the Center for Restorative Justice and Peacemaking at the University of Minnesota.