Tagged: “break free from the past”

A Hug for a Murderer?

Photo by Mohan Nannapaneni, Pexels.com

As reported in El Paso Matters (https://elpasomatters.org/2025/04/22/victims-sister-hugs-walmart-gunman-patrick-crusius-el-paso/) on April 23, 2025, Yolanda Tinajero lost her brother to murder by Patrick Crusius in 2019. When allowed to speak in court, she faced Mr. Crusius and said,I feel in my heart to hug you very tight so you could feel my forgiveness, especially my loss. But I know its not allowed. I want you to see and feel all of us who have been impacted by your actions that has brought us all closer with Gods love, which shows you that this great city of El Paso is a very forgiving place to dwell in.” When the judge allowed it, she hugged the defendant as the judge wept.

 

 

Dr. Enright featured on radio interview and podcast this summer

Dr. Robert Enright

Two recent media interviews on forgiveness by Robert Enright are the following:

Live interview on the Voice of Islam Radio, London, United Kingdom, on the topic of forgiveness, anger, and humility, July 8, 2025.

Interview with Dr. Buck Joffrey and Nikki Leigh, Longevity Junky podcast, on the idea of forgiveness for health, June 25, 2025.

Suffering, you say, makes us stronger. In my opinion, children should not have to suffer. Instead, they should be protected from harm. What are your thoughts?

I’m not saying that we should look for pain so that we can get stronger. My thesis, however, is that we often grow as individuals as a result of suffering and unfair treatment. For instance, as we suffer, we grow more perceptive of other people’s pain. Here is a crucial difference between what I just said and what I believe you’re saying: Even adults who experience abuse and suffering must find a safe haven.  Being strong does not mean you should overlook the need to take every precaution. Therefore, while they suffer, both adults and children must be kept safe. Additionally, both may become stronger as they endure hardship. It is possible to become stronger and safer at the same time.

I am considering conducting a research study with women who have been in unsuccessful marriages. Could you point me in the direction of any existing research in this area?

Yes, we have two published journal articles in which women, in unsuccessful marriages, learned to forgive with good mental health outcomes.  The references are as follows:

Reed, G. & Enright, R.D. (2006).  The effects of forgiveness therapy on depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress for women after spousal emotional abuse.  Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 74, 920-929.

Nisar, S., Yu, L., Ifikhar, R., & Enright, R.D. (2025). Forgiveness therapy to build hope and reduce anxiety and depression in battered women in Pakistan. Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/cpp.70089

Dr. Enright’s forgiveness presentations encourage communities in Greece and Israel

Dr. Robert Enright

In May and June, 2025, Robert Enright presented two talks on forgiveness, one in Greece and one in Israel, both by Zoom:

Enright, R.D. (2025, May 7). Forgiveness for the common good in communities.  Presented to educators in Greece through Zoom.

Enright, R.D. (2025, June 12).  Forgiveness for emotional healing.  Presented to researchers and research participants in Israel through Zoom.