Abstract
This thesis examines banishment in Samoa in cultural, historical, theological and pastoral perspective, seeking to construct a contextual pastoral care response to banishment centred in the concept of restorative justice. It adopts a talanoa dialogical research methodology in order to elicit the views of banishment victims and church ministers so as to uncover the breadth and depth of the experience of banishment. The findings point the way toward a contextually relevant Christian response to banishment, centred in the Samoan core value of vā fealoaloa’i (relationship of respect) and the restorative justice implicit in the gospel. This leads to a pastoral care response to banishment that incorporates the cultural practice of ifoga (public apology) in an effort to bring about restorative justice through fa’aleleiga (reconciliation).