It was twenty years ago today that Francine Lemay received the phone call informing her that her brother, corporal Marcel Lemay had been killed during an exchange of gunfire on the Oka Reserve in Quebec. I remember that morning well. I was listening to live reportage on CBC radio, hardly believing what I was hearing. It was the beginning of the protracted standoff at Oka, although the only death came in those first few hours of the confrontation.
For years Francine suffered from nightmares which included attacks by native people. Then a group of Mohawks visited her church on a Sunday morning. She identified herself and offered apologies to the visitors, and they offered condolences in return. This exchange was the beginning of a journey of reconciliation during which Francine has written a book of history about the Mohawks. In May she spoke at the annual meeting of Montreal and Ottawa conference of the United Church.
I admire Francine Lemay for summoning the courage to forgive rather than hate. How do people do this? She comments: “Sometimes the whole thing overwhelms me, but you have to hold out your hand. You have to move on. It’s the only way to hold hope in the future.”
Did you know this story? What is your response?
3 comments:
I am always humbled by people like her, who ensure that forgiveness trumps hate. It cannot be an easy thing to do.
I am reading a book along similar lines. A Palestinian doctor had three of his daughters killed in an Israeli air strike on Gaza Strip where he lived. However, he has refused to hate, and instead is trying to work on peace. It is a fascinating read. He now lives in Toronto.
Good for Francine, to reach out after what she suffered. It would be so easy to do the opposite.
I have not heard of Francine but have heard of the Palestinian doctor and his story of his daughters. Both stories bring up other memories of Leslie Parrot and the story of Corrie TenBoom's meeting of the Nazi guard that killed her sister on the street after the war had ended. Forgiveness is not an easy thing nor an one time event - it is a life time journey and one is constantly learning.
Interesting that I spoke abut Dr. Izeldeen Abuelaish in worship yesterday. Little did you know Johnny!
Your use of the word "humbled" is apt. We need the stories and examples of those who have lived out there convictions, and Susan you point out that this has been happening for decades.
You are both right in saying that forgiveness doesn't come easily. Thanks.
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