Forgiveness: A Step Too Far?

The Newry District Inter Church Forum (NDICF), in partnership with the Irish Churches Peace Project and Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, will be holding a series of events in April/May based on a locally produced film “A Step Too Far: A Contemplation on Forgiveness”. The events will take place at 7:30pm on four Thursday evenings from 23 April to 14^th May in the Sean Hollywood Arts Centre, Newry.

NDICF meets at least twice monthly and is made up of members from both Catholic and Protestant Churches. They have organised many events in Newry, including lecture series, discussion groups, cross-cultural events and an annual symposium. The programme for “A Step Too Far” has been organised in partnership with the Irish Churches Peace Project which is funded by the European Union’s PEACE III Programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body.

On 2 October 2006 Charles Carl Roberts shot ten girls aged 6 to 13, killing 5, in the small Amish school in Nickel Mines, Pennsylvania. The reaction to the tragedy by the local Amish community has been documented in “A Step Too Far” by Lurgan film-maker Paul Moorehead. “A Step Too Far” investigates an alternative to revenge – the idea of forgiveness. In the film ordinary people, from Northern Ireland to Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, share their stories and their perspectives on forgiveness.

The series of events will explore issues such as being prepared to forgive, the benefits of forgiving to the person who has been wronged and how to create positive memories from very destructive events. Video links with people in America who appear in the film, as well as input from local experts will facilitate the conversation.