Episodes
| Title | First Broadcast | Repeated | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Father Lapsley | 20220630 | 20230217 (R4) 20230216 (R4) | Father Michael Lapsley was living in exile in Zimbabwe when in April 1990 he was sent a letter bomb in the post. He was targeted because he's been an anti-apartheid campaigner in South Africa, and a chaplain for the African National Congress. In the blast he lost both of his hands and one eye, and his ear drums were ruptured. `Quite early on after the bomb, I realised that if I was filled with hatred and desire for revenge, I'd be a victim forever. That is not to say that I will not always grieve what I've lost, because I will permanently bear the marks of disfigurement. Yet I believe I've gained through this experience. I realise that I can be more of a priest with no hands than with two hands.` Marina Cantacuzino is an award-winning journalist who became interested in forgiveness at the time of the Iraq War. It's a subject she's explored now for many years, in books and through founding a charity, The Forgiveness Project'. A common theme running through these stories is that forgiveness is difficult, messy, and complex, but it brings with it the power to transform lives. Producer: Kim Normanton Executive Producer: Elizabeth Burke A Just Radio production for BBC Radio 4 Father Michael Lapsley lost his hands and one eye in a bomb attack. Can he forgive? Gripping stories from people who've had to struggle with forgiveness in order to be free. Father Michael Lapsley was living in exile in Zimbabwe when in April 1990 he was sent a letter bomb in the post. He was targeted because he's been an anti-apartheid campaigner in South Africa, and a chaplain for the African National Congress. In the blast he lost both of his hands and one eye, and his ear drums were ruptured. `Quite early on after the bomb, I realised that if I was filled with hatred and desire for revenge, I'd be a victim forever. That is not to say that I will not always grieve what I've lost, because I will permanently bear the marks of disfigurement. Yet I believe I've gained through this experience. I realise that I can be more of a priest with no hands than with two hands.` Marina Cantacuzino is an award-winning journalist who became interested in forgiveness at the time of the Iraq War. It's a subject she's explored now for many years, in books and through founding a charity, The Forgiveness Project'. A common theme running through these stories is that forgiveness is difficult, messy, and complex, but it brings with it the power to transform lives. Producer: Kim Normanton Executive Producer: Elizabeth Burke A Just Radio production for BBC Radio 4 Father Michael Lapsley lost his hands and one eye in a bomb attack. Can he forgive? Gripping stories from people who've had to struggle with forgiveness in order to be free. Father Michael Lapsley was living in exile in Zimbabwe when in April 1990 he was sent a letter bomb in the post. He was targeted because he's been an anti-apartheid campaigner in South Africa, and a chaplain for the African National Congress. In the blast he lost both of his hands and one eye, and his ear drums were ruptured. `Quite early on after the bomb, I realised that if I was filled with hatred and desire for revenge, I'd be a victim forever. That is not to say that I will not always grieve what I've lost, because I will permanently bear the marks of disfigurement. Yet I believe I've gained through this experience. I realise that I can be more of a priest with no hands than with two hands.` Marina Cantacuzino is an award-winning journalist who became interested in forgiveness at the time of the Iraq War. It's a subject she's explored now for many years, in books and through founding a charity, The Forgiveness Project'. A common theme running through these stories is that forgiveness is difficult, messy, and complex, but it brings with it the power to transform lives. Producer: Kim Normanton Executive Producer: Elizabeth Burke A Just Radio production for BBC Radio 4 Father Michael Lapsley lost his hands and one eye in a bomb attack. Can he forgive? Gripping stories from people who've had to struggle with forgiveness in order to be free. |
| Ivan | 20220701 | 20230218 (R4) 20230217 (R4) | Ivan Humble is a single father from East Anglia and a former organiser for the English Defence League who once recruited people to the far-right cause. He's now working to prevent radicalisation. He wrestles with forgiving himself. `I hated Muslims. I thought they were all terrorists. I know now that hate is just fear of the unknown.` In a surprising about-turn, he's now friends with many Muslims, including Manwar Ali, a former jihadist from Ipswich who supported Ivan when his father died. We hear from both men about their friendship and how they are making amends for the past. Marina Cantacuzino is an award-winning journalist who became interested in forgiveness at the time of the Iraq War. It's a subject she's explored now for many years, in books and through founding a charity, The Forgiveness Project'. A common theme running through these stories is that forgiveness is difficult, messy, and complex, but it brings with it the power to transform lives. Producer: Kim Normanton Executive Producer: Elizabeth Burke A Just Radio production for BBC Radio 4 Ivan Humble looks back on his past as an organiser for the racist English Defence League. Gripping stories from people who've had to struggle with forgiveness in order to be free. Ivan Humble is a single father from East Anglia and a former organiser for the English Defence League who once recruited people to the far-right cause. He's now working to prevent radicalisation. He wrestles with forgiving himself. `I hated Muslims. I thought they were all terrorists. I know now that hate is just fear of the unknown.` In a surprising about-turn, he's now friends with many Muslims, including Manwar Ali, a former jihadist from Ipswich who supported Ivan when his father died. We hear from both men about their friendship and how they are making amends for the past. Marina Cantacuzino is an award-winning journalist who became interested in forgiveness at the time of the Iraq War. It's a subject she's explored now for many years, in books and through founding a charity, The Forgiveness Project'. A common theme running through these stories is that forgiveness is difficult, messy, and complex, but it brings with it the power to transform lives. Producer: Kim Normanton Executive Producer: Elizabeth Burke A Just Radio production for BBC Radio 4 Ivan Humble looks back on his past as an organiser for the racist English Defence League. Gripping stories from people who've had to struggle with forgiveness in order to be free. Ivan Humble is a single father from East Anglia and a former organiser for the English Defence League who once recruited people to the far-right cause. He's now working to prevent radicalisation. He wrestles with forgiving himself. `I hated Muslims. I thought they were all terrorists. I know now that hate is just fear of the unknown.` In a surprising about-turn, he's now friends with many Muslims, including Manwar Ali, a former jihadist from Ipswich who supported Ivan when his father died. We hear from both men about their friendship and how they are making amends for the past. Marina Cantacuzino is an award-winning journalist who became interested in forgiveness at the time of the Iraq War. It's a subject she's explored now for many years, in books and through founding a charity, The Forgiveness Project'. A common theme running through these stories is that forgiveness is difficult, messy, and complex, but it brings with it the power to transform lives. Producer: Kim Normanton Executive Producer: Elizabeth Burke A Just Radio production for BBC Radio 4 Ivan Humble looks back on his past as an organiser for the racist English Defence League. Gripping stories from people who've had to struggle with forgiveness in order to be free. |
| Jayne | 20240208 | 20240325 (R4) | Is it possible to forgive a man who took your childhood innocence through years of sexual abuse - especailly if that man is your father? A woman we are calling Jayne has spent many years working through the trauma of what happened to her - and to her younger brother whose suicide was in no small part prompted by his father's abuse of him as a child. Now Jayne's father is close to death and she has been one of those responsible for looking after him - but is forgiveness possible after all these years? Marina Cantacuzino, founder of the charity The Forgiveness Project, finds out. Presented by Marina Cantacuzino Produced by Susan Marling A Just Radio production for BBC Radio 4 Jayne's story is of childhood sexual abuse. Can she forgive her father now he's dying? Gripping stories from people who've had to struggle with forgiveness in order to be free. Marina Cantacuzino hears from 'Jayne' whose childhood was marred by sexual abuse at the hands of her father. Can she forgive him now that he's close to death? Extraordinary stories from people who had to struggle with forgiveness in order to be free |
| Jude | 20220628 | 20230215 (R4) 20230214 (R4) | Jude Whyte was born in Belfast in 1957 to Catholic parents. After the sectarian conflict started in the late 1960s, several of his siblings left for England, but Jude remained in Belfast, taking a sociology degree and getting married. In April 1984, his mother, a part-time taxi driver, was killed in a bomb blast outside the family home. `In those days there was no counselling or trauma advice and initially I was full of bile and hatred. I became a bad father, a bad husband and a bad lecturer. My thoughts were only of revenge and I could feel the bitterness eating me up. I knew I had to change. You could say my revenge for the murder of my mother is my forgiveness because it has given me strength.` Marina Cantacuzino is an award-winning journalist who became interested in forgiveness at the time of the Iraq War. It's a subject she's explored now for many years, in books and through founding a charity, The Forgiveness Project'. A common theme running through these stories is that forgiveness is difficult, messy, and complex, but it brings with it the power to transform lives. Producer: Kim Normanton Executive Producer: Elizabeth Burke A Just Radio production for BBC Radio 4 Jude Whyte's mother was killed in a bomb attack in Belfast. He talks to Marina Cantacuzino Gripping stories from people who've had to struggle with forgiveness in order to be free. Jude Whyte was born in Belfast in 1957 to Catholic parents. After the sectarian conflict started in the late 1960s, several of his siblings left for England, but Jude remained in Belfast, taking a sociology degree and getting married. In April 1984, his mother, a part-time taxi driver, was killed in a bomb blast outside the family home. `In those days there was no counselling or trauma advice and initially I was full of bile and hatred. I became a bad father, a bad husband and a bad lecturer. My thoughts were only of revenge and I could feel the bitterness eating me up. I knew I had to change. You could say my revenge for the murder of my mother is my forgiveness because it has given me strength.` Marina Cantacuzino is an award-winning journalist who became interested in forgiveness at the time of the Iraq War. It's a subject she's explored now for many years, in books and through founding a charity, The Forgiveness Project'. A common theme running through these stories is that forgiveness is difficult, messy, and complex, but it brings with it the power to transform lives. Producer: Kim Normanton Executive Producer: Elizabeth Burke A Just Radio production for BBC Radio 4 Jude Whyte's mother was killed in a bomb attack in Belfast. He talks to Marina Cantacuzino Gripping stories from people who've had to struggle with forgiveness in order to be free. Jude Whyte was born in Belfast in 1957 to Catholic parents. After the sectarian conflict started in the late 1960s, several of his siblings left for England, but Jude remained in Belfast, taking a sociology degree and getting married. In April 1984, his mother, a part-time taxi driver, was killed in a bomb blast outside the family home. `In those days there was no counselling or trauma advice and initially I was full of bile and hatred. I became a bad father, a bad husband and a bad lecturer. My thoughts were only of revenge and I could feel the bitterness eating me up. I knew I had to change. You could say my revenge for the murder of my mother is my forgiveness because it has given me strength.` Marina Cantacuzino is an award-winning journalist who became interested in forgiveness at the time of the Iraq War. It's a subject she's explored now for many years, in books and through founding a charity, The Forgiveness Project'. A common theme running through these stories is that forgiveness is difficult, messy, and complex, but it brings with it the power to transform lives. Producer: Kim Normanton Executive Producer: Elizabeth Burke A Just Radio production for BBC Radio 4 Jude Whyte's mother was killed in a bomb attack in Belfast. He talks to Marina Cantacuzino Gripping stories from people who've had to struggle with forgiveness in order to be free. |
| Marian | 20240206 | 20240324 (R4) | For 20 years, the disappearance of Marian Partington's sister Lucy was a mystery. What had happened to the 21 year old after she left a friend's house at Christmas time in 1973? The brutal truth was revealed when Fred and Rosemary West's crimes came to light and it was confirmed that Lucy, buried under concrete in the house in Cromwell Street in Gloucester, was one of the murder victims. Marina Cantacuzino, founder of The Forgiveness Project, finds out how Marian came to terms with the horrific death of her beloved sister and how she managed to find way a through. Presented by Marina Cantacuzino Produced by Susan Marling A Just Radio production for BBC Radio 4 Marian's sister Lucy was murdered by Fred and Rosemary West. Could there be forgiveness? Gripping stories from people who've had to struggle with forgiveness in order to be free. Marian Partington's sister Lucy was tortured and murdered by Fred and Rosemany West. How does a person deal with the horror of that and find a way to a 'forgiving heart'? Extraordinary stories from people who had to struggle with forgiveness in order to be free |
| Mathew | 20240207 | 20240331 (R4) | When Mathew Shurka was a teenager in Brooklyn, New York he came out as gay to his father, who put Matthew through highly controversial conversion therapy as an attempt to change his sexuality. What followed was five years of misery that took Mathew to the edge of suicide - he was made to cut his mother and sisters from his life, to sleep with women with the aid of Viagra, and to hide his true identity. He eventually escaped the therapy. But could he find a way back to his father through forgiveness? Marina Cantacuzino, founder of the charity The Forgiveness Project , finds out. Presented by Marina Cantacuzino Produced by Susan Marling A Just Radio production for BBC Radio 4 Can Mathew forgive his father for the conversion therapy he suffered as a gay teenager? Gripping stories from people who've had to struggle with forgiveness in order to be free. The story of a young gay man who was put through controversial conversion therapy by his father. Five years ended in family schism, much unhappiness but final forgiveness. Extraordinary stories from people who had to struggle with forgiveness in order to be free |
| Paul | 20240205 | 20240317 (R4) | In the first of five extraordinary stories of forgiveness, we hear from Paul, whose peaceful life with his wife and daughters was violently interrupted by a gang who broke into the house, in what looked like a case of mistaken identity . Paul and his wife had a lucky escape as the police arrived promptly. All four assailants were eventually caught and convicted. But later, the family was invited to prison to meet one of the men responsible for the attack. Marina Cantacuzino, founder of The Forgiveness Project, is in conversation with Paul and hears what happened next. Presented by Marina Cantacuzino Produced by Susan Marling A Just Radio production for BBC Radio 4 Paul was brutally attacked in his own home. Could he forgive his imprisoned assailant? Gripping stories from people who've had to struggle with forgiveness in order to be free. Marina Cantacuzino begins her series on forgiveness with the story of a man who was violently beaten in his own home in a case of mistaken identity - but who forgave his assailant. Extraordinary stories from people who had to struggle with forgiveness in order to be free |
| Rosalyn | 20220627 | 20230214 (R4) 20230213 (R4) | How do you survive and restore your life when something truly appalling is done to you? Marina Cantacuzino presents the first of five gripping stories from people who've had to struggle with forgiveness in order to be free. Rosalyn was subjected to a prolonged and violent rape in her home at knifepoint. Her attacker was a serial rapist who broke into her home while her two-year-old daughter slept in the room next door. After much anguish, she finally decided to meet her attacker in prison through a process known as restorative justice. She found the process helped her to take back control and she was able to `forgive the man, but not the act.` Marina Cantacuzino is an award-winning journalist who became interested in forgiveness at the time of the Iraq War. It's a subject she's explored now for many years, in books and through founding a charity, The Forgiveness Project'. A common theme running through these stories is that forgiveness is difficult, messy, and complex, but it brings with it the power to transform lives. Producer: Kim Normanton Executive Producer: Elizabeth Burke A Just Radio production for BBC Radio 4 Rape survivor Rosalyn on meeting her attacker. How do you survive and restore your life when something truly appalling is done to you? Marina Cantacuzino presents the first of five gripping stories from people who've had to struggle with forgiveness in order to be free. Rosalyn was subjected to a prolonged and violent rape in her home at knifepoint. Her attacker was a serial rapist who broke into her home while her two-year-old daughter slept in the room next door. After much anguish, she finally decided to meet her attacker in prison through a process known as restorative justice. She found the process helped her to take back control and she was able to `forgive the man, but not the act.` Marina Cantacuzino is an award-winning journalist who became interested in forgiveness at the time of the Iraq War. It's a subject she's explored now for many years, in books and through founding a charity, The Forgiveness Project'. A common theme running through these stories is that forgiveness is difficult, messy, and complex, but it brings with it the power to transform lives. Producer: Kim Normanton Executive Producer: Elizabeth Burke A Just Radio production for BBC Radio 4 Rape survivor Rosalyn on meeting her attacker. How do you survive and restore your life when something truly appalling is done to you? Marina Cantacuzino presents the first of five gripping stories from people who've had to struggle with forgiveness in order to be free. Rosalyn was subjected to a prolonged and violent rape in her home at knifepoint. Her attacker was a serial rapist who broke into her home while her two-year-old daughter slept in the room next door. After much anguish, she finally decided to meet her attacker in prison through a process known as restorative justice. She found the process helped her to take back control and she was able to `forgive the man, but not the act.` Marina Cantacuzino is an award-winning journalist who became interested in forgiveness at the time of the Iraq War. It's a subject she's explored now for many years, in books and through founding a charity, The Forgiveness Project'. A common theme running through these stories is that forgiveness is difficult, messy, and complex, but it brings with it the power to transform lives. Producer: Kim Normanton Executive Producer: Elizabeth Burke A Just Radio production for BBC Radio 4 Rape survivor Rosalyn on meeting her attacker. |
| Salimata | 20220629 | 20230216 (R4) 20230215 (R4) | Salimata Badji Knight is a survivor of FGM, female genital mutilation, which is the cultural practice of removing part of the genitals of a girl or woman for non-medical reasons. Salimata was raised in a Muslim community in Senegal and later in Paris. Her story is about forgiving her parents and indeed her whole culture for the violence that was done to her when she was just four years old. For a long time, she was filled with rage and blamed all the people who had allowed her to be cut. But out of rage came compassion, and the realisation that this was not her mother's fault, nor the fault of the women who had carried it out. `I was able to talk to my father. I explained the physical and mental damage caused by FGM. He cried, and said that no woman had ever explained the suffering to him. Then he apologised and asked for forgiveness. The next day he called my relatives in Senegal and, as a result, dozens of girls were saved from FGM.` Marina Cantacuzino is an award-winning journalist who became interested in forgiveness at the time of the Iraq War. It's a subject she's explored now for many years, in books and through founding a charity, The Forgiveness Project'. A common theme running through these stories is that forgiveness is difficult, messy, and complex, but it brings with it the power to transform lives. Producer: Kim Normanton Executive Producer: Elizabeth Burke A Just Radio production for BBC Radio 4 Salimata Badji Knight is a survivor of female genital mutilation. Gripping stories from people who've had to struggle with forgiveness in order to be free. Salimata Badji Knight is a survivor of FGM, female genital mutilation, which is the cultural practice of removing part of the genitals of a girl or woman for non-medical reasons. Salimata was raised in a Muslim community in Senegal and later in Paris. Her story is about forgiving her parents and indeed her whole culture for the violence that was done to her when she was just four years old. For a long time, she was filled with rage and blamed all the people who had allowed her to be cut. But out of rage came compassion, and the realisation that this was not her mother's fault, nor the fault of the women who had carried it out. `I was able to talk to my father. I explained the physical and mental damage caused by FGM. He cried, and said that no woman had ever explained the suffering to him. Then he apologised and asked for forgiveness. The next day he called my relatives in Senegal and, as a result, dozens of girls were saved from FGM.` Marina Cantacuzino is an award-winning journalist who became interested in forgiveness at the time of the Iraq War. It's a subject she's explored now for many years, in books and through founding a charity, The Forgiveness Project'. A common theme running through these stories is that forgiveness is difficult, messy, and complex, but it brings with it the power to transform lives. Producer: Kim Normanton Executive Producer: Elizabeth Burke A Just Radio production for BBC Radio 4 Salimata Badji Knight is a survivor of female genital mutilation. Gripping stories from people who've had to struggle with forgiveness in order to be free. Salimata Badji Knight is a survivor of FGM, female genital mutilation, which is the cultural practice of removing part of the genitals of a girl or woman for non-medical reasons. Salimata was raised in a Muslim community in Senegal and later in Paris. Her story is about forgiving her parents and indeed her whole culture for the violence that was done to her when she was just four years old. For a long time, she was filled with rage and blamed all the people who had allowed her to be cut. But out of rage came compassion, and the realisation that this was not her mother's fault, nor the fault of the women who had carried it out. `I was able to talk to my father. I explained the physical and mental damage caused by FGM. He cried, and said that no woman had ever explained the suffering to him. Then he apologised and asked for forgiveness. The next day he called my relatives in Senegal and, as a result, dozens of girls were saved from FGM.` Marina Cantacuzino is an award-winning journalist who became interested in forgiveness at the time of the Iraq War. It's a subject she's explored now for many years, in books and through founding a charity, The Forgiveness Project'. A common theme running through these stories is that forgiveness is difficult, messy, and complex, but it brings with it the power to transform lives. Producer: Kim Normanton Executive Producer: Elizabeth Burke A Just Radio production for BBC Radio 4 Salimata Badji Knight is a survivor of female genital mutilation. Gripping stories from people who've had to struggle with forgiveness in order to be free. |
| Trevor | 20240209 | Trevor Steven's most treasured possession is a photograph album made for him on his 60th birthday by his daughter Tobi . It contains shots of many of the happy times they spent together. While Trevor and his wife were aware that Tobi had problems with her mental health, they were unaware that the seriousness of her illness would lead to suicide. As a student in Norwich, she was failed by the mental health services that should have saved her as she repeatedly overdosed and threatened to take her own life. How does forgiveness work when it's an organisation rather than an individual that has fallen short and caused such grief and pain? Marina Cantacuzino, founder of the charity The Forgiveness Project, is in conversation with Trevor for this moving story. Presented by Marina Cantacuzino Produced by Susan Marling A Just Radio production for BBC Radio 4 Trevor's student daughter took her own life. Can he forgive the system that failed her? Gripping stories from people who've had to struggle with forgiveness in order to be free. Trevor Steven's daughter Tobi took her own life while a student in Norwich. Trevor talks to presenter Marina Cantacuzino about forgiveness in the context of institutional failure. Extraordinary stories from people who had to struggle with forgiveness in order to be free |