Understanding Forgiveness and Spiritual Direction practice

• Saturday 6th June
• Coffee from 9.30am for a 10am start, ending at 1pm
• St Luke’s Church, Southsea

Forgiveness is one of the most important themes of the Christian faith. The term tends to be used as if its meaning is self-evident and clearly defined in scripture, whereas in fact the theology of forgiveness is complex and multi-faceted as is its outworking in pastoral care and support. It is often (perhaps even usually) more of a process that needs to be worked through rather than a one-off act of will or choice.

Sadly it is sometimes used unwisely by churches to pressurize members into forgiving too quickly or easily. This can be harmful especially in instances of trauma, and may even contribute to spiritual abuse.

Issues of forgiveness surface frequently in spiritual direction practice, and it can be challenging for SDs to hold the space appropriately for the directee. Each of us too carries our own personal experience of being forgiven, offering forgiveness, forgiving ourself; often incomplete or ongoing. This can colour how we hear a directee’s story. Forgiveness is not simply a personal or interpersonal matter, but also applies to communities that have experienced conflict – sadly all too prevalent in our current world.

Purpose

This aim is to help Spiritual Directors into a deeper understanding of forgiveness so that we are better equipped to respond to the range of concerns that directees may raise, and the differing ways they may see forgiveness

Facilitated by

David Lindsay, Ann Leonard, John Preston & Max Millett.