AFTER VIOLENCE: 3R, RECONSTRUCTION, RECONCILIATION ...

may have to strengthen Self's faith, help removing doubts. But
Other still remains, the victim, the forgotten party.
Look at the approaches already discussed. Broadening the
perspective means taking something away from one or more of them.
Obviously, the priest cannot make full use of the nature-
structure-culture approach. The will may be conditioned by them
up to a point, but some free will remains, and with that guilt and
responsibility. But he can make use of the other two.
What is recommended is that the priest turned peace worker
includes Other, trying to pave the way for reconciliation. The
perpetrator will have to broaden the God/Self-oriented focus on
absolution and include the Other-oriented focus on apology and
restitution. A major problem remains, however.
The victim might say: "leave me alone, I have had enough
suffering if I should not in addition have to meet him again,
accept some acts of restitution, even listen to his insincere
apologies that will never undo what happened." The reaction is
understandable, and the peace worker may have to be a go-between
if the direct encounter is too hard on either or both. Rather
than bringing them together he may have to rely on the dialogue
with each one of them. The theological/penitence approach alone
is simply too partial; it has to be broadened.
[5] The juridical/punishment approach. This is the secular
version of the above, according to the plus ‡a change plus c'est
la mˆme chose. The successor to God is the State (in the USA
often the `"People"); the successor to the perpetrator is the
perpetrator and to the victim is the victim; and the perpetrator-
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