Forgiveness: Centering or a Cudgel?

In this three-part series, we’ll use The Book of Forgiveness by Desmond and Mpho Tutu as our shared guide. We’ll explore forgiveness as a practice that steadies us amid conflict, injury, hatred, and fear—and as a pathway to inner peace, wellbeing, and spaciousness of heart. We’ll also name how “forgiveness” can be misused as a spiritual shortcut, a demand for silence, or a way to bypass accountability. Expect thoughtful conversation and practical reflection on the relationship between forgiveness, truth-telling, repair, compassion, and justice—so forgiveness becomes a source of strength and freedom, not a weapon.

The Very Rev. Robert V. Taylor’s spirituality was forged in the struggle against apartheid. In 1980, Archbishop Desmond Tutu sent him to the United States to avoid imprisonment. In 2000, Tutu traveled to Seattle to participate in the installation of the Robert as Dean of Saint Mark’s Cathedral – the first openly gay dean of an Anglican cathedral. He continues to teach and write at the intersection of spiritual practices, healing, justice and wellbeing.

We will be using the following book for this class: The Book of Forgiving: The Fourfold Path for Healing Ourselves and Our World, By Archbishop Desmond Tutu & Mpho Tutu.

It is available for purchase online https://tinyurl.com/54b625zv 

Led By: Led by Rev. Robert Taylor