Courts in Brazil use clergy to mediate conflicts

A pioneering mediation program in Brazil is helping the judicial system reduce a backlog of cases overloading the country’s courts by getting religious leaders involved in resolving conflicts between families and neighbors.

The Mediar e Divino (To Mediate Is Divine) pilot project in the state of Goiás has started training Christian clergy on the legalities of addressing disputes.

“Brazil is a highly religious society, and it dawned on me that along with a mission to evangelize, religious leaders also have a mission to reconcile and pacify citizens,” said Paulo Cesar das Neves, the judge responsible for setting up the program.