Restorative Justice

Parishioner Lead: Bob Stump

Restorative Justice deals with the impact of harm on the person harmed, the perpetrator of the harm and the larger community. Restorative Justice uses the Circle format to bring healing and wholeness to people affected by harm. A circle is a versatile restorative practice that can be used proactively to develop relationships and build community. Circles give people an opportunity to speak and listen to one another in an atmosphere of safety, decorum, equality and confidentiality.

Beginning in 2015, our Restorative Justice team went through a two process of study, conversation, and prayer in order to learn more about it and how we might serve our parish and community. In November 2017, nine parishioners and staff attended a three-day training on the use of circles in restorative justice with Kay Pranis, a nationally prominent figure/trainer in the movement.

Members of Holy Trinity’s Restorative Justice team have facilitated several circle sessions for the parish. We led small group discussions during our Season of Discernment about the parish’s response to clergy sexual abuse. We also supported a group of Gonzaga High School faculty as they faced issues related to the abuse. The Holy Trinity Social Justice Toolkit series had us leading the small group discussions on action options for our parishioners. As the parish faced issues related to Covid-19, we helped collect feedback from parishioners and report it to the parish wide task force.

Currently, we are holding conversations among parishioners on how to promote racial healing for ourselves and others. Let us know if you are interested in joining these conversations.

We are also exploring if and how to engage with Coming To The Table which “provides leadership, resources and supportive environment for all who wish to acknowledge and heal wounds from racism that is rooted in the United States’ history of slavery.” CTTT’s vision “for the United States is of a just and truthful society that acknowledges and seeks to heal from the racial wounds of the past – from slavery and the many forms of racism it spawned. “

We are open to other opportunities to serve both within the parish and the wider community. Restorative Justice has the potential to heal harms and resolve conflicts by engaging all affected parties in structured conversations to reach a healing resolution for all.