By Dave McNaughton, President, St. Vincent de Paul Society, Saint Elizabeth of the Trinity
The National Catholic Conference on Restorative Justice, hosted by Catholic Mobilizing Network at Emory University, Atlanta, GA, was held in late September, and followed the theme, Tangible Signs of Hope.
I was privileged to be a participant.
Catholic Mobilizing Network (CMN) is a national organization committed to ending the use of the death penalty, transforming the U.S. criminal legal system from punitive to restorative, and building capacity to engage in restorative practices.
CMN works closely with the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
While at the Conference, I joined a small group of participants that went to the Martin Luther King National Historic Park in Atlanta. We visited MLK’s church, childhood home, and tomb, ending with a prayer service at the nearby historic Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church.
The Conference opened with remarks regarding Atlanta, which has a history of resilience and perseverance in the face of racism, while Georgia has one of the highest rates of incarceration and the death penalty. The Opening Mass was celebrated by Archbishop Gregory J. Hartmayer.
During the Conference, I presented at a session titled: ”Resurrection People: Parish-Based Restorative Reintegration” along with Dexter Kearney of One Parish One Prisoner (OPOP), and Mark McCombs from Kolbe House. We discussed how OPOP came to our parish, and how we responded with love, support, and accompaniment.
St. Elizabeth of the Trinity’s story with OPOP was deemed a “Tangible Sign of Hope”.
The Conference closed on the Feast of St. Vincent de Paul. Several Vincentians were in attendance including Carlos Benitez, who leads St. Peter Claver Prison Ministry in Florida; Paula Gwynn, Senior National Director of Marketing and Communications for Society of St. Vincent de Paul USA, and Judge Thomas More Donnelly of Chicago.
Presentations focused on how legal system participants, including law enforcement, attorneys, and judges can work towards making the justice system
more restorative. The Conference challenged participants to return home with what they learned and seek to apply it in their communities.
The Conference underscored the message:
No human being is disposable, including those who have done great harm.
Leaving Atlanta, I felt refreshed and renewed to continue working with my fellow Vincentians as we seek to be friends with those in need and to continue the corporal works of mercy.