News
Northern Ireland Amnesty
From Irish Central: A Northern Ireland Police Ombudsman has called for amnesty for all murders committed during The Troubles (1972-1997). The one caveat is that victims’ families would have to approve the amnesty in individual cases. Read the entire story.
Iranian Forgiveness?
Bloomberg.com: A top Iranian official today warned countries in the Persian Gulf to avoid siding with the U.S. and to refrain from participating in any “plots” against Iran. “The Iranian nation’s forgiveness will not be repeated,” according to parliamentary speaker Ali Larijani, the state-run Tehran Times reported.??IFI note: It is not clear what is meant by the term “forgiveness” in the article. It seems to us that the term refers to military restraint, which is not quite the same as forgiveness.
Forgiveness Essential in Africa
“Forgiveness must become an essential element of African culture,” says Jesuit Father Adrien Lentiampa Sheng, speaking in Rome on January 11 at a conference at the Pontifical Gregorian University. In his speech, the priest explained how forgiveness within African culture and tradition is regarded as a supreme value that translates into respect for the family and other human communities. Watch an interview with Father Sheng.
Dr. Enright Speaks at Padua, Italy Conference
On Saturday, Feb. 4, Dr. Robert Enright addressed an audience in Padua, Italy on the theme of healing through forgiveness. The audience consisted of people with an interest in using forgiveness as a means to become emotionally healthier as a result of injustices against them.
The largest reaction from the audience was their surprise about what forgiveness is and is not. The question and answer session (with answers from both Dr. Enright and Amber Flesch, IFI Forgiveness Program Manager) centered at first on this issue of the definition of forgiveness. Many said they thought forgiveness: a) included automatic reconciliation; b) was a simple–and distorted–idea of just saying “I forgive you,” and, c) encompassed just letting the offense go.
People seemed energized and happy to hear that forgiveness is a virtue, contered in mercy, in which one gives up resentment and offers goodness toward an offender, but does not include excusing, letting an offense go, abandoning justice, or automatically reconciling.
If I hadn’t learned to forgive, I may not even be alive today.
Read the dramatic story of Jayne Valseca whose treatment at Cancer Treatment Centers of America included forgiveness therapy. Watch a short video about the amazing power forgiveness has had on her life and on those around her. You’ll be amazed. Click here.
