Ara Pacis Initiative - Consiglio per la Dignità, il Perdono, la Giustizia e la Riconciliazione

Questions on Forgiveness: 1

Peace negotiations are, for the most part, focused on the political and economic dimensions. What is your perception of the necessity of touching deeper and more genuine aspects of reconciliation and how can this be achieved?

Questions on Forgiveness: 2

What are the conditions in which, beyond securing the interests of parties to conflict, a process that is centered on a sense of fairness and dignity can be established?

Questions on Forgiveness: 3

To what degree is forgiveness an essential dimension of reconciliation? At the root of your political culture and religious faith, what are the principles that either imply or exclude forgiveness? Which verses or sayings that are part of your personal spiritual heritage could in your opinion have a universal significance?

Questions on Forgiveness: 4

Does forgiveness require some form of repentance on the side of those to whom forgiveness is offered? Does forgiveness have conditions or is it unconditional?

Fausto Biloslavo

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Reflections on Dignity, Forgiveness and Reconciliation

Recent history teaches us that peace is obtained either by arms, or, when the parties to conflict are exhausted by the spilt blood, through political solutions that are more or less stable and sustainable. In order to reach TRUE peace, it is necessary to engage in a process of deep reconciliation as well as expiation of the crimes committed during the war. Experience tells me that only with time and the passing of the generations can one hope to achieve this outcome.

When one’s guilt is admitted without shifting the blame on the other conflict parties, and foremost when no vengeance is sought.
Forgiveness is crucial, but extremely difficult to achieve in terms of full conviction of the individuals and the groups involved. I never exclude forgiveness, in any situation, on the ideal and theoretical levels, but I am not sure I am capable of forgiving each and every war crime. It’s not part of my heritage, but I have always been fascinated by Salam Aleikum, May the Peace be with you. In the Christian world, one part of Mass comes close to this, when the priest calls on all to exchange a sign of peace, but it’s not the same.
Ideally forgiveness is never granted in exchange for something and thus not even in exchange for repentance. But in the real world I think it is necessary or at least desirable.

Sincerely, I don’t believe much in these wonderful dreams. I think though that my experiences as a witness of all faces of war, which sometimes I have felt on my own skin, can be useful to understand peace and reconciliation.

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