Canadian Churches and Criminal Justice: Renewing the Prophetic Voice
Explore the vison, challenges, and next steps for the future of faith, restorative justice, and corrections in Canada.
On October 1, from 7:00-8:30 pm EDT, join us for a free online event, organized by the Corrections and Restorative Justice Working Group of The Canadian Council of Churches, to hear stories of experience, capture the vison and challenges of today, and discern the next steps for the future of faith, restorative justice, and corrections in Canada!
This event will celebrate and reflect on the history and accomplishments of The Church Council on Justice and Corrections (CCJC). Since 1972, the CCJC brought together Canadian church leaders for public engagement on restorative justice, corrections, capital punishment, domestic violence, and many other related issues. This year, the CCJC is merging with The Canadian Council of Churches and will continue its mission and vision as the new Corrections and Restorative Justice Working Group of the Council.
Be inspired by the stories and reflections from leading voices in criminal justice, restorative justice, and corrections in Canada. Share your own experiences and help us discern how the churches in Canada and their partners can build healthier and safer communities through theological reflection, educational opportunities, shared initiatives, and public dialogue. Join us as we renew our prophetic voice and shape our future work.
Keynote speaker: Donald Nicholls, Director of Justice and Correctional Services, Cree Nation Government
Theological Reflection: Dr. Vern Neufeld Redekop, Professor Emeritus of Conflict Studies, Saint Paul University
Reflections by:
- Lorraine Berzins, former Coordinator: Research and Analysis and Community Chair of Justice of The Church Council on Justice and Corrections; co-founding director of the Smart Justice Network of Canada; co-founding member of Mothers Offering Mutual Support
- Kathryn Bliss, Associate Director of the Restorative Lab, Schulich School of Law, Dalhousie University; former Executive Director of Circles of Support and Accountability (CoSA) Canada
- Laurent Champagne, former Coordinator for Quebec and past President of The Church Council on Justice and Corrections; Executive Director of l’Aumônerie communautaire de Montréal, Aumônier Établissement Archambault
- Rick Prashaw, Canadian author, storyteller, and public speaker whose diverse career has thrived in journalism, the priesthood, The Church Council on Justice and Corrections as its former Executive Director, and political staff to Members of Parliament
- Rev. Dr. James (Jamie) Scott, former Project Director for The Church Council on Justice and Corrections; founding Coordinator of the Collaborative Justice Project at the Ottawa Courthouse; former General Council Officer for Residential Schools for The United Church of Canada
Everyone who registers will receive a Zoom link one day before the event.
Help us spread the word by sharing this news story!
Questions? Email Maria Simakova – simakova@councilofchurches.ca
>> Register for the event: https://churches-criminal-justice.eventbrite.ca