"Forgiveness won’t change the past, but it can change the present, which is where the future starts." Read more
The Forgiveness Project shares stories of forgiveness in order to build hope, empathy and understanding.
The Forgiveness Project’s unique contribution to this debate is to provide a space of enquiry rather than argument, to ask questions rather than provide answers, and to explore key aspects of forgiveness and its impact through individual real life stories.
Analysis of the many stories The Forgiveness Project has collected over the years shows that while forgiveness is not a linear process, and seldom a one-off event, nevertheless certain qualities and values feature in most of the stories.
These stories come from all over the world and whether they focus on mending broken hearts or broken communities, show that forgiveness is about connecting to a common, shared humanity.
In April 1995 Bud Welch’s 23-year-old daughter, Julie Marie, was killed in the bombing of the Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City along with 167 others. In the months after her death, Bud changed from supporting the death penalty for Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols to taking a public stand against it. In 2001 Timothy McVeigh was executed for his part in the bombing.
"Forgiveness won’t change the past, but it can change the present, which is where the future starts."
"My father was a good son to my grandmother, he is a well-respected member of his local community and he was both a good and an abusive father."
"I believe in restorative justice and I believe in reparation."
An award-winning, intensive group based intervention programme that supports prisoners in their process of change towards desistance from crime.
A thought provoking collection of arresting images and personal narratives exploring forgiveness in the face of atrocity.
Download our free Education Resources now to explore forgiveness, justice and empathy with young people aged 14+.
Learning, insights and processes from the frontline of forgiveness.