For Reconciliation Day (April 2), a Few Thoughts on Forgiveness

from a People magazine article, 10/23/06, on the Amish school massacre

The reporter is talking with the killer (Charlie Roberts)'s grandfather-in-law
"'The forgiving his hard for them, I'm sure,' he says. 'It's amazing how the Amish do that.'
"Perhaps what's most amazing is the heartfelt depth of that forgiveness. Who, for instance, would have imagined that victims' families would insist on establishing a fund for the killer's wife and three children? That's what the Amish did, days after the massacre. Or that, according to one source, the parents of several of the murdered girls personally approached [the killer's wife] to offer their forgiveness? Or that several dozen Amish people asked the Roberts family if they could attend the burial service for Charlie Roberts?"
The article goes on to mention an Amish grandfather talking with some young children. He then explains to the reporter
"'It's very important that we teach the children not to think evil of the man who did this.' Indeed, on the night of the killings, [the grandfather] went to the Roberts home, hugged one of the killer's young sons, and offered the Amish community's forgiveness."

All I can say is - wow.