‘Forgive us our trespasses as
we forgive those …’

Many times each day the refrain of the Our Father comes to mind, “forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” We usually think of the people who have hurt us and of our struggle to forgive them. On some occasions we are humbled as we are challenged with the realization that we have not forgiven, or even are trapped in the repetitive stance of revenge and retaliation. This very human response seems natural to us, so much so it has become the common reaction in society. Jesus, however, beckons us to another reality “love your enemies.”

Jesus’ call becomes a sharp clear challenge to our life when we are victims of crime. Reflecting on the effects of crime, the care of victims of crime, and the fate of the criminal; the Bishops of the United States have issued a pastoral statement to raise the question of the Christian response to crime, victimization and the penal system. “Responsibility, Rehabilitation, and Restoration: A Catholic Perspective on Crime and Criminal Justice,” the statement of the Catholic Bishops has recently been released.

The bishops put before us the tasks of restoring civility and responsibility to everyday life, promoting crime prevention and genuine rehabilitation. We know that new approaches must move beyond the slogans of the moment such as “three strikes and you’re out” or “criminals are simply trapped by their background.” We may feel comfortable resting in the policies that flow from cliches attributed to the so-called conservatives and liberals. In reality, however, little comes from these statements in the way of addressing the issues that can change the criminal activity in our society. A more challenging declaration that may be difficult for some Catholics to initially endorse is made in the introduction to the statement, “A Catholic approach begins with the recognition that the dignity of the human person applies both to victim and the offender.”

Simply being a baptized Catholic does not keep one from falling into criminal activity. It is estimated that 30 percent of federal prisoners are baptized Catholics with many more in local and state facilities. White-collar crime provides us with another realization. The average business enterprise loses more than $9 a day per employee to fraud and abuse. In 1998, the imprisonment rate in America was 688 per 100,000 offenders. This rate is six to 12 times higher than the rate of other Western countries. Of the two million people behind bars in the United States, 70 percent did not complete high school. Many more statistics in setting after setting lead us to the conclusion that our present approach is not working and certainly does not follow Catholic teaching.

The statement reminds us, “In some ways, an approach to criminal justice that is inspired by a Catholic vision is a paradox. We cannot and will not tolerate behavior that threatens lives and violates the rights of others. We believe in responsibility, accountability and legitimate punishment. … At the same time, a Catholic approach does not give up on those who violate these laws. … We seek justice not vengeance. We believe that both victims and offenders are children of God. … ”

The Bishops’ Statement gives us a lengthy set of foundations based on Catholic Social Teachings that can guide our discussions, reflections and action. The foundations range from protecting life and property, avoiding the trap of simplistic solutions, insisting that punishment has a constructive and rehabilitative purpose, to encouraging spiritual healing and renewal for those who have committed crimes.

One of the foundations that has meaning for me is the one that supports restorative justice through the innovative process of mediation between victim and offender. After the elongated process of arrest, trial and sentencing
of three juveniles who held me up two years ago, I am convinced a better approach would have been to enter the process of mediation. The mediation format has yet to become part of the criminal justice system in any substantial way. Through this process the young men could come to appreciate the violation of person and rights they perpetrated, the threatening future lying ahead of them, make reparation and face the need to plan to refashion their behavior. I am not sure years in a correctional facility will provide this change of behavior and future protection for society. It also seems that the many dedicated and over worked police officers, attorneys, prosecutors, social workers and support staff could have their energies refocused in cases where the victims would consider the mediation process, if it were available.

If we are to adopt the processes of restorative justice and mediation it will mean moving from our current understanding of law and the subsequent legal infraction to a process of law that through “our faith call us to hold people accountable, to forgive and to heal.”

The statement places before us other foundations that should cause us to reflect on a better way to deal with crime in our society. The questions of mental illness, drugs, addiction, immigration are matters that complicate our criminal justice apparatus and require further thought and action from all of us.

In fulfilling her mission the Church makes the encounter with Jesus real in our lives by teaching right from wrong, respect for life, forgiveness and mercy. In imitation of Christ the Church involves us in standing with victims and families. In response to a merciful God the Church challenges us to reach out to offenders and their families, provide pastoral care for them, and seek out improved methods of rehabilitation. As Catholics respecting life we need to come to understand the church’s teaching on the death penalty.

The statement contains an appendix
of suggested actions and resources that could readily be used by parishes and schools to help their parishioners and students reflect on the growing issues arising around crime, victim and rehabilitation. These action plans will make the Catholic Social Teachings in the statement something very real in the community and parish.

With over two million of our fellow Americans having committed crimes and now imprisoned and millions more Americans suffering as victims, praying the Our Father should move us to the challenge of reflection and action.