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News footage of the terrorist bombing on 7 July 2005 highlights the number of people who were killed that day. Among the dead was a young woman, Jenny. Her mother, Julie Nicholson, was an ordained priest but quit her position because she could not forgive the suicide bomber who murdered her daughter. Julie justifies her stance by asserting forgiveness depends upon the guilty party requesting it. The person who killed her daughter is dead and so there’s no relationship to be restored. She thinks Jenny would want her to lead a good life and not worry about forgiveness.

Ask the class why the Jill’s views on forgiveness made her conclude she could no longer be a Christian priest. They could compare the Christian attitude to sin and forgiveness with that of other religions. The class could discuss the idea that a priest forgives on God’s behalf. How important is the role of an intermediary in the process of forgiveness?