Give ‘restorative justice’ a chance — bishop
The Duterte administration’s punitive approach to crime will not foil crime and is likely to make society less safe, a Catholic bishops said.
Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo warned that a vindictive justice system could become the value of society in general.
“If there’s a kind of justice that we should be looking for, it’s the restorative one… the justice that restores and not vengeance. Retribution is not part of God’s justice,” said Pabillo.
“Lakbay Buhay” pilgrims are joined by church people, students and various groups on their way to the University of Santo Tomas for a Mass on Sunday, May 21. CBCPNews
The bishop made the statement during his homily at a Mass for the “Lakbay Buhay” pilgrims and other anti-death penalty advocates at the University of Santo Tomas in Manila on Sunday.
He said that restorative justice was the very essence of Christ’s great commandment: “Love one another as I have loved you.”
Pabillo underscored that justice and love are absolutely intertwined in Christ’s teachings.
“God taught us to love our enemy, that is the basis of our stand (against death penalty),” he said.
He also called on Filipinos to stand up for life and strongly oppose the capital punishment.
“Let us not be silent on these issues,” he said. “Let’s talk to our family and friends and tell them why we are opposed to it”. CBCPNews
