A re-humanising gift
by Marina Cantacuzino
Founder, The Forgiveness Project
W
hat is it that so inspires us about former
enemies coming together in a spirit of peace
and reconciliation? Retaliation may be our
default position, and yet frequently we find
that conflict resolved through compassion motivates and
encourages us far more than conflict resolved through
revenge.
Take for example Nelson Mandela’s statement
following decades behind bars: ‘I knew if I didn’t leave
my bitterness and hatred behind I’d still be in prison,’ or
the recent story from Iran of the mother of a murdered
son, who had no intention of sparing her son’s killer from
execution until the moment she saw the noose around
his neck. Bo