Forgiveness and Reconciliation in the Aftermath of Abuse

While forgiveness and reconciliation are central themes in the church's proclamation of the gospel, superficial understandings that separate them from justice and repentance have serious consequences for Christian ministry to survivors and perpetrators of abuse, and for the church's witness to wider society.

This theological and pastoral resource addresses specific challenges to the church as it seeks to speak truthfully in the aftermath of abuse, and provides material to help parishes and dioceses who find themselves facing the complex realities of such issues.

It explores six key questions, two concerned with understanding abuse within a theological framework and four concerned with formulating pastoral responses, including where the church itself may have been complicit.

Forgiveness and Reconciliation in the Aftermath of Abuse is the result of three years' work by the Faith and Order Commission grappling with challenging theological and pastoral issues and is commended for study and theological reflection by the House of Bishops.