Source: (2004) In Restorative Justice: A Source Book. Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines – Episcopal Commission on Prison Pastoral Care. Pp. 34-42, 50-53.
In dealing with issues of crime and law and order, the Church has to proclaim the age old message that Jesus came to bring the world: “Good news to the poor, liberty to the captives, new sight to the blind, healing fort he sick, freedom for the oppressed.†That is our mandate. The teaching of Jesus can bring new light to bear on the difficult issues of conflict and crime in the community. They offer grounding principles to deal with them. These will involve promoting processes based on justice, equity, fairness and accountability. But such an approach must always be guided by wisdom, tempered by mercy, and allow for the possibility of healing, forgiveness and reconciliation for both victims and offenders. (excerpt).
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