Forgiveness

Could you forgive someone who had killed one of your family?

Should a convicted murdered ever be allowed back into society?

University Chaplain, Revd Mark Soady, hosted a challenging seminar at the Caerleon Campus of University of Wales, Newport, when Brighton bomber Pat Magee and Jo Berry, whose father was killed by the bomb, talked about their lives before the bomb in 1984 and of their experience of meeting each other when Pat was released from prison under the ‘Good Friday’ agreement in 1999.

Jo spoke of her growing closeness to her father before he was killed, of the painful years following his murder, and of her growing determination to do what she could to draw meaning from the tragedy.

Pat described with quiet passion the intense frustration of communities who were not allowed a voice and how he was drawn in to violence. At that time, hesaw churches as institutions which were on the side of the powerful.

In November 2000 the two met.

Listening to Jo talk about her father helped Pat to see the individual human being behind the label ‘Tory’

For Jo, the question was about whether she could let go of her need to blame, and open her heart enough to hear Pat's story and understand his motivations.

“I wanted to meet Pat, to hear his story and see him as a real human being. At our first meeting I was terrified but as soon as we met we talked with an extraordinary intensity. I shared a lot about my father, while Pat told me some of his story.

“I still have feelings that are painful. I still get angry but I have learnt that these feelings can be transformed into passion for change. My passion for change starts with me wanting to stop the cycle of violence and revenge in me and has grown into helping create a world in which violence is not seen as a viable way of resolving conflict.”

One of the audience was not persuaded. He, quite rightly, asked probing questions but those questions were asked with an underlying anger and aggression which was in stark contrast to the openness of Jo and Pat who both responded calmly. Jo made it clear that she deliberately chose to trust her instinct and to leave herself open to betrayal rather than close off possibilities of transformation.

As I listened to the speakers, I wondered what choices I would have made in their situations. Recent events have made that question even more relevant.

Through Holy Week and Easter we follow Jesus as he chooses the road to the cross. It is that choice alone which allows the possibility of resurrection.

This Easter, I pray for the courage to choose the Resurrection Road.

Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.

Janet Bone