INTERNATIONAL
PASTORAL
CARE
NETWORK
FOR
SOCIAL
RESPONSIBILITY
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INTERNATIONAL
PASTORAL
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by G. Michael Cordner, Th.D. In this
first letter I want to speak to you about my own thoughts in response to the enormity of
the events of Forgiving is also a very individual act. We do not forgive as a group, or even as a nation, but only as individual persons. When I consider the act of forgiving I am reminded of a statement made here in Vermont recently by a person responsible for the creation of a Holocaust memorial at a local synagogue. He said, and I am in agreement with him, that I cannot eradicate evil from the world, but only diminish evil within myself. And I would add, that as I do so I impact and influence the world. To forgive is to act. Forgiving is not an act of passive acceptance but an act in which I renounce my inclination to exact revenge. It is important to me that I renounce my own desire here by confronting and challenging retribution and revenge where and when it seems to occur. I can do so when I experience hatred among others, directed at myself or at others, knowing that it is my hateful act that encourages and promotes the hateful acts of others, whether terrorists or nationalists of whatever nation or group. I invite your reactions and response to this notion and to this desire. Please contact me through my own e-mail at Drcordner@aol-com. I look forward to our communicating. G. Michael Cordner, Th.D.
Name: Address: E-mail address:
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the past month. I am challenged by the need to forgive. Forgiving is
an act of faith, that confirms and substantiates our faith. I am aware that none of
us forgives through our own strength or determination, but only as we are empowered to
forgive by our faith in God, by whatever name we call that power that is beyond ourselves
and upon whom we depend.
