reconciliation
From early on in John Paul's writing, reconciliation offered both a challenge and an orienting touch stone. Shaped by participation and accompaniment of deeply challenging reconciliation processes, he sought to understand the dynamic weave between the social energies of truth, mercy, justice, and peace, and how to nurture the pathways of social healing, repair, and restoration. Central guiding metaphors have included the notion of the horizon of reconciliation, requiring a relationship-centered approach to change that involves committed engagement, encounter, and humility. The content of this section offers a window into John Paul's ongoing exploration around the challenges of reconciliation and the practice of peacebuilding.
A book containing practical ideas for transforming conflict in everyday life with a challenge to Christians to renew their commitment to reconciliation as the heart of the gospel message.
Through circular, dynamic, and non-linear metaphors, this book offers a promising new approach to healing for communities impacted by conflict, violence, and trauma.
An exploration into the spiritual foundations that undergird John Paul's work as a practitioner and scholar of peacebuilding.
A training of trainers manual to support NGO workers engaging in peacebuilding, conflict resolution, and reconciliation initiatives.
An exploration of the dynamics of contemporary conflict and presentation of an integrated framework for peacebuilding and the transformation of conflict.
John Paul's contributions to the Upaya Zen Center's Varela Symposium 2018, which explored the theme, "Transforming Conflict: From Science to Real World Applications."
An article that links psychosocial theories with the social energies of reconciliation, then applies this framework to the case of Guatemala, emphasizing the value of linking the literatures of peace psychology and conflict transformation.
A commissioned paper articulating a Christian pacifist perspective on nonviolent approaches to contemporary conflict.
A conference paper that shares key themes about the challenges of building peace and the role and challenges in particular for ex-prisoners and ex-combatants in settings of protracted conflict.