Theme
Witnesses on reconciliation
Lives spent bringing together what was divided: families, peoples, Churches.
A few words
And you too, friend of my final moment, who would not have known what you were doing.
Open the eyes of our heart, that we may know you.
There is no future without forgiveness.
On the cross, Jesus looked at those killing him and said: Father, forgive them. I could do no less.
A Christianity of steel for a century of iron.
God can only love.
All 11 witnesses on reconciliation
- Christian de Chergé Preventive forgiveness and brotherhood beyond religion.
- Clément de Rome The prayer of a divided community, which asks first of all to see clearly.
- Desmond Tutu Justice sought without hatred, and forgiveness held as the only future for wounded peoples.
- Festo Kivengere Forgiveness offered to the enemy as a strength, and the joy of the Gospel carried through trial.
- Franz Stock Standing inside hatred without sharing it; remaining brother to those whom everything divides.
- Frère Roger de Taizé Trust of the heart: a simple prayer, sung and silent, that reconciles what was separated.
- Isidore de Péluse The prayer of someone who treats other people's ordinary business as serious business.
- Ngākuku Refusing revenge out loud, on the day itself, in front of everyone.
- Nicholas Black Elk The peace that begins inside a person, and two inheritances of prayer carried without setting them against each other.
- Robert Schuman Turning an enemy into a partner; politics held as the patient work of reconciliation.
- Son Yang-won Forgiveness carried as far as adoption, and thanksgiving wrested from the barest grief.