Reconciling Memories

Second edition revised. Folk memory and partisan history play a significant parts in perpetuating conflict between communities. A people's sense of identity is heavily influenced by traditional understanding, or memories, of their past. The painful results of this are obvious today in the Middle East, Eastern Europe, Central America and, of course, in Northern Ireland. In a program of reflection on the Reconciliation of Memories at the Irish School of Ecumenics, theologians, political scientists, historians, philosophers, and literary critics have contributed to an examination and understanding of those situations where "all is not forgiven because all has never been forgotten". Joseph Liechty is an American Mennonite who has for many years been involved in peace studies. He has written extensively on ecumenism. Alan Falconer, a Church of Scotland minister, is the Director of the Faith and Order Commission of the World Council of Churches.