Thanks for this podcast. I will definitely check out Gwen’s book. I trained years ago as a counsellor and our group of students was asked if there were a group who they felt they wouldn’t be able to work with - nearly all of them said child sex offenders, I remember being surprised and a bit shocked and not surprised at the same time. I had previously worked with a woman who had killed one of her own children, but I knew her history and the terrible abuse and pain she had suffered herself. I worked in a children’s home with boys who’s histories were so appalling, so much suffering and some of those boys had begun to perpetrate the same crimes - part of empathy and understanding is in those stories, knowledge of those lives so fractured and ruined that lead some people to do terrible things - not an excuse, but an understanding, some context, some realisation of the disconnection - I think it’s easier to feel empathy and understanding if you know the whole story, and like you say, we don’t always want to hear the whole story because we don’t want to be forced to feel some sympathy or empathy. It’s seems such a vital conversation, thank you Elizabeth and I look forward to Gwen’s book
Thankyou so much for this podcast. I can recommend Dr Adshead’s book it is deeply “assumption-breaking”. Blessed are those who care and blessed are those who are drawn to bring their own vulnerabilities to Christ for healing with a humble and contrite heart. It is not easy. I’m still asking for the graces 🙏🏼
I’ve been waiting patiently all summer for your return Elizabeth and now you are back with a most interesting and inspiring chat with Gwen. You always seem to bring out the deep and the best in your interviewees. Thank you so much for your efforts to make the world a better place 🙏😀
The answer is yes. Compassion is inclusive or it is not compassion. And compassion is freedom, freedom is compassion. The great and liberating (for all) work of a lifetime. 🤍
