Forgiveness is a complicated topic, one that holds promises, but also has threats. No one definition of forgiveness works for all, and forgiveness is only one of a variety of possible helpful responses to a broken relationship. In this workshop led by Pádraig Ó Tuama, we consider poems and stories of forgiveness — particularly poems and stories that speak about the difficult in forgiving. We also consider alternatives to forgiveness, as well as self-forgiveness and forgiving the dead.

Pádraig Ó Tuama is a distinguished Irish poet, author of four volumes of poetry, a theologian and conflict resolution mediator. From 2014-2019, he led the famous Corrymeela Community, Ireland’s oldest peace and reconciliation organization.