Film framework for ‘forgiveness’ course

Historian and author Philip Orr is guest speaker on February 3

Professor Peter McBride, of Niamh (Northern Ireland Association for Mental Health), is the key speaker in the Town Hall on Tuesday (7.30pm) for the Carrickfergus Church Forum-organised initiative.

The four-week contemplative course, based on a Peace III film ‘Forgiveness: A step too Far?’, commenced this week with consideration of “community hurts that need addressed”. Guest speaker was Alan McBride from WAVE Trauma Centre, who lost his wife in the Shankill Road bombing.

The film which provides the framework for the programme is supported by the Irish Churches Peace project.

Each session sees participants viewing the relevant section of film, input from speakers and facilitated discussion.

The theme for Tuesday, February 3 is ‘Memorialising past atrocities - how we remember negative community anniversaries’ with Philip Orr, historian and author.

The course concludes on February 10 by ‘Addressing hurts in our own life, church and community’.

Initiated by the Good Relations department of Carrickfergus Council and launched in 2008, Carrickfergus Church Forum promotes respect for diversity of faith, culture and tradition and fosters involvement in community-building through reflective listening and active engagement.

The forum also hosted a ‘united celebration’ at St Colman’s Church of Ireland on Sunday evening to mark the beginning of a week of prayer.