4 Corners Festival will explore the theme of ‘Scandalous Forgiveness’
Scandalous Forgiveness has been announced as the theme of the next 4 Corners Festival which will take place from 30 January – 10 February at various venues across Belfast.
One of the principal speakers will be Canon David Porter (right), Chief of Staff and Strategy to the Archbishop of Canterbury at Lambeth Palace. Originally from Belfast, David previously worked as the Archbishops’ Director for Reconciliation.
Canon Porter said: “The 4 Corners Festival is one of the most innovative church–based initiatives and continues to demonstrate it is not afraid of the hard issues. I look forward to sharing in the programme in February.”
The festival seeks to inspire people from across the city to transform it for the peace and prosperity of all. It consists of innovative events designed to entice people out of their own ‘corners’ of the city and into new places where they will encounter new perspectives, new ideas, and new friends. The theme will be explored through music, prayer, storytelling, discussion and more.
The co–chairs and co–founders of the Festival are Revd Steve Stockman, minister of Fitzroy Presbyterian Church, and Fr Martin Magill, parish priest in St John’s parish, both in Belfast.
Revd Steve and Fr Martin recently wrote a joint article in the Belfast Telegraph saying:
“In Northern Ireland many will see it as scandalous if someone forgives the person who killed their husband or wife or son or daughter. It could easily be seen as a scandal if a paramilitary murderer was forgiven. Some might suggest that that isn’t justice. Yet, it might also be scandalous if those of us who talk so much about God’s forgiveness are not acting in forgiving ways – if forgiveness is not at the forefront of all that we do”.
Find out more at the Festival website here.