Vatican City: As the Catholic Church across the United States confronts historic injustices, rising social divisions, and the realities of crime and incarceration, restorative justice is increasingly being embraced as a powerful tool for peacebuilding. According to the Executive Director of the Catholic Mobilizing Network, this approach is helping communities heal wounds, rebuild trust, and respond to harm with dignity and compassion at parish, diocesan, and national levels.
Each year on January 1, the Church observes the World Day of Peace, underscoring the urgent global need for peace and reaffirming peacebuilding as central to protecting human dignity. The timing is intentional at the very start of the year, when individuals and communities reflect on new beginnings and commitments. Beyond personal resolutions, the Church calls the faithful to a shared pledge: a renewed dedication to peace.
This year’s observance marked the 59th World Day of Peace, accompanied by a message from Pope Leo XIV titled “Peace Be with You All: Toward an ‘Unarmed and Disarming’ Peace.” The title echoes the first words spoken by the Pope from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica following his election, setting a clear tone for his pontificate.
In his message, Pope Leo emphasized that peace is not a static goal but an ongoing journey—one that demands perseverance, courage, and hope, even amid violence and uncertainty. He highlighted the necessity of listening deeply, engaging in sincere dialogue, and bearing witness to light in the darkest moments. These principles, he noted, form the foundation of authentic peacebuilding.
At the heart of this vision lies restorative justice. Pope Leo explicitly linked peacebuilding with restorative practices, stating that societies must foster self-awareness, responsible civic engagement, nonviolent participation, and restorative justice initiatives at every level—from small community settings to large institutional frameworks.
Restorative justice aligns closely with Catholic social teaching by affirming the inherent dignity of every person and ensuring that those affected by harm are included in the processes that shape their lives. Rather than focusing solely on punishment, this approach seeks to repair damage, restore relationships, and promote accountability in ways that lead to genuine healing. It offers individuals and communities a chance to understand the consequences of harm and take meaningful steps to make things right reflecting the reconciling mission of Christ.
In a world increasingly marked by division, isolation, and marginalization, restorative justice provides a tangible way for Catholics and people of goodwill to become peacemakers in the present moment. It demonstrates how justice rooted in mercy and truth can transform even the deepest wounds.
Catholic communities nationwide are putting these principles into practice through diverse initiatives addressing historical wrongs, incarceration, and communal conflict.
One notable example occurred in October 2025, when the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration returned ancestral land to the Lac Du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, part of the Ojibwe Nation. This act followed years of reflection, dialogue, and a five-year process of confronting the congregation’s historical involvement in operating an Indian boarding school. After two years of direct engagement with Tribal leaders, the land was formally returned. Tribal President John D. Johnson Sr. described the moment as more than a legal transaction, calling it a restoration of balance, dignity, and sacred connection to ancestral lands.
In cities across the country, the One Parish One Prisoner initiative is helping parishes support individuals transitioning from incarceration back into their communities. Using a restorative justice framework, parish teams often including pastors build relationships with incarcerated individuals up to two years before their release, offering emotional, spiritual, and practical support to ensure successful reintegration.
At the diocesan and parish level, many communities are also adopting circle processes, a restorative practice that creates safe, Spirit-led spaces for honest conversation. These circles encourage participants to speak openly, listen deeply, and address difficult topics with respect and humility. This approach not only reflects the Church’s commitment to synodality but also fosters “unarmed and disarmed” dialogue that builds understanding and peace.
Both restorative justice and synodality share a common vision: journeying together through woundedness toward healing. Each emphasizes deep listening, authentic dialogue, and truth-telling as pathways to communion and reconciliation.
Pope Leo XIV’s strong emphasis on peace, dialogue, and restorative practices has been welcomed as a hopeful sign for the Church’s future. As communities search for ways to bridge divides and strengthen relationships, restorative justice offers a practical and faith-filled response one that invites every parish, ministry, and individual to take part in building a more peaceful world.