franciscan - January 1999
© The Society of Saint Francis, 1998
Contents
The Minister’s Letter, by Sister Joyce CSF, Minister Provincial of the European
Province of the First Order Sisters
Community Routes
In penitence and faith
The gift of repentance lies at the heart of the gospel, but the thought of penance doesn't always excite great enthusiasm! In this issue, though, we are reminded that the call to repent is a call to be made whole, united with God in love. We consider how that wholeness in Christ is being sought and found today, by the individual Christian in the hiddenness of the confessional, and by whole nations seeking healing from past conflicts that have torn them apart. In particular, we look at Francis' understanding of penance and we ask about the morality of forgiveness – is it always right to forgive?
Articles
The Practice of Penitence, by John Townroe
Seeking Reconciliation in South Africa, by Archbishop Desmond Tutu
Doing Penance, What did Francis mean?, by Margaret McGrath FMSJ
The Morality of Forgiveness, by John Macquarrie
Penitence in Northern Ireland, by Brother Damian SSF
This Little Room, by Brother Paschal SSF
Obituaries
Sister Barbara CSF, RIP; Sermon at her requiem mass, by Sister Hilary CSF
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