Churches Called on to Play Greater Role in Maintaining Peace in Communities

Minister of Justice, Hon. Delroy Chuck, is appealing to churches to play a greater role in maintaining peace and harmony within communities.

Addressing the Ministry’s Restorative Justice Church Service at the West Jamaica Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, in Mount Salem, St. James, on February 10, Mr. Chuck said churches can use the initiative as a potent tool in helping the nation to repair relationships and foster reconciliation among its people.

“It (restorative justice) is about getting the wrongdoer to admit the wrongdoing and the victim of the wrongdoing to forgive the wrongdoer, so that the relationship can be restored,” the Minister explained.

“This concept, I think, could make Jamaica a more peaceful place, and that is why we’re partnering with all the churches,” he added.
Mr. Chuck unveiled plans to distribute a Green Paper outlining proposals for enhancing restorative justice practices to churches across Jamaica and urged clergy members and congregants to critically examine the document and actively participate in efforts to improve the delivery of justice and conflict resolution mechanisms.

“This is where we want the church to assist us in fighting back and ensuring that families, neighbourhoods and communities can address their grievances, settle their differences, resolve their conflicts, because this can only make it better for Jamaica,” the Minister said.

“This is not how God meant families to grow and develop and we in the churches must assist in doing something, and that is why we want to promote restorative justice in every home and in every neighbourhood,” he added.

The day’s event closed out Restorative Justice Week 2024, held under the theme ‘Transformation, Peace and Harmony through Restorative Justice’.

Restorative Justice, which is a branch under the Social Justice Division at the Ministry, seeks to resolve conflicts by having all parties involved come together to reach an agreement.

Through restorative justice initiatives and interventions, thousands across the island have benefited from training sessions, including members of the religious fraternity, schools and communities, to help ensure a more peaceful and harmonious society.