“Extraordinarily unusual.” This was the phrase used by one restorative justice expert to describe the meeting between two mothers recently. One was the mother of the transgender teenager Brianna Ghey, whose brutal murder last year shocked the UK, and the other was the mother of the girl who killed her. Remarkably, both women resolved to campaign together against the dangers of mobile phone use for children. This is restorative justice in action, a countercultural approach that views violence, community decline and fear-driven reactions as signs of fractured relationships. Instead of seeking revenge, it advocates for restorative approaches to mend the damage caused by conflicts, crimes, and victimisation. It’s a reflection of what the Bible calls shalom; a word that encompasses ideas of universal flourishing, wholeness and delight; a co...