NPR this morning was all abuzz about the first day of trial for the Khmer Rouge. The former prison guard, Duch, although he has beenaccused "of crimes against humanity, torture and premeditated murder for his alleged role in the deaths of more than 10,000 people" is seeking forgiveness. He has said that "he had not wanted to take charge of the prison, but feared for his own life if he did not follow orders."BBC News reports,

By the time the Vietnamese army invaded and overthrew the Khmer Rouge in 1979, the regime had executed or starved and overworked to death up to two million Cambodians.

Is forgiveness in light of these situations possible?

Marianne L. Tierney is a PhD student in theology at Boston College.

Also by this author
© 2024 Commonweal Magazine. All rights reserved. Design by Point Five. Site by Deck Fifty.