Running head: Article Review 1
Article Review:
Vibert Jacob
Liberty University
Article Review 2
"Brokenness, forgiveness, healing, and peace in Ireland by Smyth Geraldine”
Northern Ireland witnessed prolonged conflicts which were fueled by political,
ethnical and religious differences. This article is a summary of the untold pain and suffering
which he people of Northern Ireland experienced as a result of warfare. Due to the gravity of
the ordeal, the author recommends the use of forgiveness and reconciliation as a possible tool
for healing and rebuilding the nation. This is an absolutely emotional account of Northern
Ireland’s case which uses pathos, ethos and logos to convince the reader to buy the argument
of the article. The author assures us that although the process of reconciliation and
forgiveness is lengthy, time consuming and intimidating, the benefits are worth it..
Essentially, the author argues forgiveness and reconciliation are gifts which were freely given
to all and can be used to effectively resolve conflicts. Geraldine, the author uses religious
reasoning to back her points. Geraldine provides a concise summary of several processes that
can effectively be used to streamline the process of reconciliation which eventually produces
peace.
Geraldine posits that forgiveness has the capability of restoring broken social ties and
healing relationships. This means forgiveness and reconciliation can be an effective tool for
healing the society. However, there cannot be reconciliation unless the offender recognizes
their mistakes and offer to correct. Likewise, the victim should acknowledge be willing to
take the responsibility of bearing the pain so they can be in a position to move on. Each party
should be willing to shoulder their own responsibilities.
Geraldine banks on concrete Judeo-Christian jurisdictions to prove why forgiveness
and reconciliation coupled with political good will can be vital in the healing of a county
consumed by indiscriminate warfare. Although the process is traumatizing, choosing the
daunting option of forgiving is not only beneficial to the victim but also the perpetrators of
Article Review 3
social injustices. Reconciliation can be effective in ending warfare, forgiving adversities and
rebuilding lives and relationships positively. Forgiveness and reconciliation are crucial
components of restorative justice. In order to reap the benefits of forgiveness and
reconciliation, the participants should be willing to acknowledge that brokenness present and
thus there is needed to passionately commit to reconcile with each other. Without
reconciliation, it is impossible to strengthen and rebuild social ties, cohesion and structure.
Essentially, reconciliation needs a shared vision which aims to establish a fair and
interdependent close-knit society. If anyone wants to be at peace with the present, then they
should reconcile with their past. When used effectively, forgiveness and reconciliation can
help start and nurture healthy and constructive and a transformation of attitudes. When the
war subsides in the warring communities, leaders can try to use reconciliation to build a
society which is cohesive and interdependent. This move would initiate and support
initiatives aimed at putting the country on track towards socio-economic and political
recovery. The restorative justice is a practical application of Christian conciliation
applications. It relies on a theological approach that effectively conveys the religious spirit of
forgiveness and reconciliation.
I am convinced that Geraldine’s article offers not only realistic but also reasonable
alternative methods to conventional techniques of conflict management. The reconciliation
process should give the victim the opportunity to mourn the inhuman effects, accepting
weighty loss and then expressing grief. This approach proposed by Geraldine also gives the
involved entities the opportunity to confront fear and energize their efforts geared towards re-
humanizing the adversary. When forgiveness is supported or complimented by reconciliation
the society can be propelled beyond the ferocious cycle of conflicts by cultivating the art of
tolerance. Reconciliation has the ability to rewrite history of formerly warring society and
forging solutions which are acceptable and beneficial to both conflicting parties. In
Article Review 4
conclusion, forgiveness and reconciliation should be treated and perceived as a conflict
management approach that can offer restorative justice essential for healing, repairing and
rebuilding the society after warfare.
