CECA
is the proud sponsor of GFD since 1994!
Global Forgiveness Day will once again be celebrated on August
27th.
Promotion of forgiveness will be done through television, radio,
and the paper media as well as word of mouth and personal discussions.
Community support and enthusiasm has been overwhelming and we
look forward to an exciting time of personal reflection, restored
relationships, and inner healing. Community awareness and support
is key in advancing the message of forgiveness to the world. Please
lend your support and join us in person if possible, but most
importantly, in action, by reflecting on relational conflicts
in our own lives.
In
1998, the Ethics in Action Awards were held in Vancouver, British
Columbia. These Awards recognize organizations and individuals
who are innovators and operate in ways that enhance the quality
of life of people and communities touched by their work. CECA
was nominated to these awards.
...more
about the Ethics in Action Nomination
Forgiveness
Day Overview:
National Forgiveness Day quietly began in 1994. Initially
a single banner proclaimed National Forgiveness Day in downtown
Victoria, British Columbia Over time, 
more and more
people began to identify with their personal need to forgive and
be forgiven. As the annual celebration progressed, media attention
has increased to regular exposure through all major media (TV,
Radio, and Paper) Today, National Forgiveness Day has been
renamed Global Forgiveness Day in order to better reflect
our desire to see the message spread beyond national borders.
Our
world is full of unresolved conflicts: internationally, locally
and in our homes. It's not just in distant lands where angry thoughts
turn to angry words and then angry actions. The nature and history
of human experience is intertwined with conflict and resolution.
Confrontation is often our best attempt to resolve conflict, yet
a more productive and satisfying solution stares us in the face.
In countless cases, justice has rightly
extracted a high price from the guilty party. Whether justified
or not, at some point, the human condition - when pushed - will
want to push back. Our human nature is to respond in kind, or to
respond with greater effect and intent (we want revenge). Obviously
this type of escalation can not continue unabated.
It is a clear issue that as citizens of this global village we must
stand in opposition to tyranny and injustice, to protect the helpless
from the abuser and the innocent from the selfish manipulator.
We need to look closer at the situations
where misunderstood words and actions lead to wasted time, energy
and resources on unnecessary conflict. And most painfully, there
are situations where one party is clearly, even admittedly, guilty
of an offense against an intimate friend or family member. Much
hangs in the balance in the resolution - past, present and future.
This all begs the question, " What is the answer ? What
is the solution ? Is it possible to restore a sense of ease and
intimacy between those involved ?". To answer these questions
in a positive way is difficult. But the solution is the same for
each question. Forgiveness is the key. Forgiving allows us to
lay down the right to claim retribution (openly or inwardly in
our hearts and minds). Forgiving allows us to deal with, and then
look past all the hurt and consequences of the offense. Forgiving
pardons the offender and the offense. This does not mean to forget,
in fact, we must remember as a way to remind ourselves that we
too might be guilty of the same offense.
Webster's
Dictionary defines forgiveness as the ability to excuse or to
pardon. Just as a convict, sentenced to die for his crimes, would
be overcome with joy and relief when granted a last minute pardon,
we too must/need to have the largeness of spirit and character
to offer forgiveness. The consequences of the offense may still
have painful implications but can now be endured without malice,
allowing some good to be salvaged from the situation. It is important
to recognize that the ability to forgive does not make us better
than the offender, rather, it demonstrates the wisdom of the forgiver
in dealing with the issue.
To forgive is to offer opportunity for a new beginning to the
offender, and provides a process of healing for the victim.
"Forgiveness
offers the possibility of two types of peace: peace of mind
-- the potential healing of old emotional wounds, and peace
with others -- the possibility of new, more gratifying relationships
in the future."
Kenneth
I. Pargament & Mark S. Rye
