BOTH ST. PETER AND JUDAS Iscariot betrayed Jesus. It is clear in scripture that Jesus, aware of each of His friends’ betrayals, was deeply hurt. But the reason St. Peter went on to become the founder of Christ’s Church on earth, and Judas committed suicide, is a lesson in the power of Restorative Justice. St. Peter acknowledged his betrayal, and Jesus forgave him fully. On he other hand, Judas abandoned all hope and refused to seek forgiveness. Among the many scars from the crucifixion is undoubtedly a deep, irreparable wound from Judas.
THE DIOCESE’S OFFICE OF RESTORATIVE JUSTICE HOSTED A CONFERENCE TITLED “JOURNEYING WITH HOPE, RESTORATIVE JUSTICE A DAY OF DIALOGUE” ON MAY 9. PHOTOS BY ALAN WENDELL/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
Restorative Justice is the process of healing after the crime that includes the victim, the criminal, their families and the community. Even if the perpetrator is caught, convicted and sentenced, victims still struggle to heal and hope again, especially if they have lost a loved one.
Likewise, individuals who commit crimes will never be rehabilitated or change their lives if they refuse to take responsibility for their actions and seek forgiveness from those they have hurt. Accountability heals everyone. This is Restorative Justice, a process whereby those involved in crime depend on each other to put the pieces together and move forward.
The Diocese’s Office of Restorative Justice collaborates closely with the county’s criminal justice system and local nonprofits to promote Restorative Justice and reduce recidivism among individuals willing to participate. Led by Fred LaPuzza, director of the Office of Restorative Justice, recently hosted a conference titled “Journeying with Hope, Restorative Justice: A day of Dialogue” that brought together people from diverse backgrounds, including victims, defendants, law enforcement, prosecutors, public defenders, judiciary and social services, to discuss how to facilitate personal transformation and genuine healing for all involved.
TOP LEFT, CRAIG ARTHUR (PRESIDING JUDGE, JUVENILE COURT ORANGE COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT) AND BOTTOM LEFT, STEVE KIM (CO-FOUNDER AND CEO, PROJECT KINSHIP) BACK ROW, LEFT TO RIGHT: [TBD], JIMMY RUMSEY (PROJECT KINSHIP), FRANCISCO PALACIOS (PANELIST AND HUMAN WORKS AND TRUTH RECOVERY ADVOCATE PROGRAM), BOBBY EHNOW, PHD (MODERATOR/FACILITATOR, DIOCESE OF SAN DIEGO), TRINO JIMENEZ (PANELIST/FACILITATOR, THE MEND COLLABORATIVE), THOMAS MORE DONNELLY (MODERATOR AND CIRCUIT JUDGE, COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS), AND FRED LAPUZZA (DIRECTOR OF RESTORATIVE JUSTICE, DIOCESE OF ORANGE).
FRONT ROW, LEFT TO RIGHT: [TBD], JESSICA JOHNSON (PANELIST AND DEPUTY CHIEF, ORANGE COUNTY PROBATION DEPARTMENT), MARTA BARRETO (PANELIST, HUB FOR INTEGRATION, REENTRY & EMPLOYMENT – H.I.R.E), REBECCA WEIKER (FACILITATOR AND PANELIST, CO-DIRECTOR, THE MEND COLLABORATIVE), SUZANNE NEUHAUS (MODERATOR AND RESTORATIVE JUSTICE EDUCATOR, SANTA CLARA UNIVERSITY), AND STEPHANIE SAUCEDO (PANELIST).
“For example,” said LaPuzza, “an offender has probably never talked with someone who has been victimized; conversely, victims often have never had a dialogue with someone who was in prison or jail. This is a chance to hear each other’s stories.”
This is the basic premise of Restorative Justice.
The Diocese Restorative Justice Ministry addresses the issues of people impacted by crime, including people from government agencies. Listening to the many stories, it is clear that for every life that was changed, there is also a spiritual conversion. This is where the Church, not just Catholics, but any religious practice, can help do the heavy lifting that secular agencies cannot do.
Dr. Bobby Ehnow, director of the Office of Restorative Justice for the Diocese of San Diego, began the day by moderating a panel on “Finding Hope with Restorative Justice Practices.”
“If you look at the theological virtues of Faith, Hope and Love, Hope is the foundation upon which Faith and Love are built,” he said.
Steve Kim is the CEO of Project Kinship, a nonprofit that provides services and training to individuals whose lives have been impacted by incarceration, gangs and community violence, walking with them in hope, healing and transformation. Kim noted that survivors aren’t healed by punishment; hatred wears a person down.
“We are fixated on what works and go from there,” Kim said.
The number one frustration for survivors and families is a lack of remorse on the part of the perpetrator. Through the Restorative Justice process, defendants take full responsibility for all the hurt they have caused and apologize to victims and families. Victims learn to heal through forgiveness and let go of the anger. It’s a circular process where everyone on both sides of the criminality needs each other to heal their lives.
Judge Scott Cooper is the Supervising Judge of Orange County Superior Collaborative Courts. Known as “problem- solving” courts, they are designed to address the underlying issues that cause people to enter or stay in the justice system. If a defendant pleads guilty, the court, working through multiple agencies, can direct the individual to services that include counseling, treatment, housing, vocational skills training, education, assistance with accessing government benefits and referrals to other support services. There are also services available for victims of crime that help them heal through forgiveness and any other support they may require.
Stephanie Saucedo is one example of the many individuals Judge Cooper has shepherded through the Collaborative Court.
“At one point in my addiction, I didn’t care if I lived or died,” she shared. “But then I chose to go through treatment again because I didn’t want my children to have to bury me in my addiction.”
She added: “It’s different being on the other side. Today, there are more opportunities for me to do better things with my life.”
Judge Thomas Donnelly, Circuit Judge of Cook County, Illinois, moderated the final discussion and reflected on the powerful testimony from the conference.
“Our God is a God of surprises, he said. “We need to be prepared for the surprises, and we need to surprise others. Unless we are all connected, there will continue to be violence, isolation and despair.”
Hope is a journey for everyone.