Principal says forgive Ferguson | QLD News | Breaking News in Queensland

Fancy a Catholic shool espousing catholic virtues such as forgiveness. Oh the shame - it's OK, I forgive them.

I say good on you McMahon. Forgiveness knows no bounds, there are no conditions. No one is exempt from Gods love, not even Denis Ferguson.

Thank you Dan McMahon for such a truthful and ballanced view of the Ferguson situation. It is sad so many people do not experience Gods love and forgiveness.

forgiveness and trust are separate issues

Regardless of how McMahon feels about this situation, I believe that his so called 'reflection' was not only unnecessary, but inappropriate for a school newsletter. The situation holds no direct relevance to the Bundaberg community, so why bring up such an issue that is so controversial at this particular point in time? Is he planning on moving in next door to feguson?...Didn't think so!

the whole story was not ment to be a ferguson issue . this is about a man that abuses his position. the media turned it into ferguson issue. dam humitiates and be littles kids on a daily basis. parent wake up and talk to your kids.

maybe you should ask other victims of denis if they forgive him because I DONT.

teaching people values that will assist them in leading full lives and to be 'good' people is certainly an issue relevant to schools - this is an issue that bears relevance on a national community level including schools. why? because it is painfully clear that it is difficult to move through.

Holding onto anger merely allows the perpetrator to continue their power over the victim. A victim will continue to be a victim until they forgive. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying it's a 'snap of the fingers' scenario, it takes time and help - but the idea that some things are unforgiveable is unrealistic and will only consume the person who holds that view.

my question is why do parents send their children to schools with ethos' they don't support? the principal of this school is absolutely doing the RIGHT thing in his part in reestablishing a healthy balance to the situation.

this is not appropriate for a principal to discuss. secondly it is the victims of ferguson's place to forgive, not anyone else. can denis live at this principal house seem no one else wants him??

my opinion on this issue is that Mr McMahon said some very general things about forgiveness. but it was unnecessary to mention Mr Ferguson.
He says he doesnt know how he would feel about Mr Ferguson living in his neighbourhood, but doesnt think he would be a threat to his young children. But i bet if they were neighbours Mr McMahon would a very different opinion on that. Also, if for some reason Mr Ferguson had obtained a permanent residency on the road where the entrance of Shalom College is, he would be doing everything in his power to relocate the convicted paedophile. Another situation that i believe was not very well thought through by Mr McMahon was that if his kids were the victim of Mr Ferguson or any other paedophile, i bet he would not be so forgiving. McMahon also claims that the current age of Mr Ferguson does impose any present danger to young kids. Never the less any young child could still be manipulated and over powered, even by an elderly man, regardless of age.

I believe McMahon has made some valid points, particularly in relation to child abuse and the concept of forgiveness within the Christian tradition of which he is a school principal. Firstly, he has used the Denis Ferguson situation to highlight the real statistics behind child abuse, which no doubt a number of children are victims of everyday across our nation. The Denis Fergusons of this world do not represent the majority who commit these crimes, rather as McMahon states, it's those within the trust circle of a child. One would think and hope that Ferguson will never have that trust relational opportunity again. Therefore he poses little or no threat. McMahon cleverly highlights this point and in doing so encourages the parents of his school to think about the adults who come in regular contact with their children. Secondly, McMahon does not say directly to forgive Denis Ferguson, rather he raises the concept of Christian forgiveness, which is not disputable. People will have their opinions, but the concept of forgiveness in which the gospel talks about is quite clear and often very difficult for humankind to comprehend and I put myself in that category. McMahon uses the Denis Ferguson situation to get his school community to think about their own understanding and capabilities of Christian forgiveness and how that is applied in their daily lives. He quotes that it's really hard to forgive others, particularly the unlovable. This would suggest that McMahon would struggle just like any of us to forgive Denis Ferguson - A lot of us seem to have missed this point!! The notion of forgiveness he's talking about is that which belongs to the institution he represents - Christianity. I say McMahon should be congratulated for such a daring and thought provoking reflection. It's obviously made a number of people think.

Yes here we go again the churches for some reason just brush things under the carpet GOD WILL FORGIVE who is god anyway

this is a smart person who is commenting for the right reasons

NO WHERE did he suggest that HE PERSONALY liked him he was pointing out catholic beliefs
GET OVER IT

she said she didnt want to be named because of the repercussions. well of course they will find out who did it not only did she take on a school she took on a diocese and no only that but a international church

she is going to need some real good luck. Because she is going to get alot

o well who cares about her anyway

I think forgiveness is a very high expectation to have for the families these paedofiles have affected. They are sentenced to a lifetime of recovery and are never released from the trauma of their experience at the hands of these people. Grown up are to be looked up to by children not taken advantage of. I don't think I could find forgiveness if someone did that to me at a child and I definitely could not forgive someone that did that to my son. A life without trust is no life and this is what these innocent victims are sentenced to whilst the paedofiles serve jail time and then walk free.

In Tasmania, I am a long way from the issue but I admire Dan McMahon for trying to teach young people the basic principle of forgiveness. The school should be proud of him, not condemning him. During my 84 years, I have met some very traumatised people who were the victims of sex offences, so I am aware of parents' concern. As we have just had rememberance day, perhaps we could relate the issues. Many thousands of people suffered during WW2 and were left with life-time disabilities---mental and physical. We forgave our enemies as we expect forgivenes for the injustices we have perpetrated.
Many posts refer to the Church, why? Forgiveness is a basic act in the maturation of a humane society. Until we can forgive, we have a long way to go.
The Church will probably make a public comment when it sees which way the "wind is blowing". I am a WW2 veteran and liftime atheist. I did not need a Church to tell me how to feel for a man who is being hounded out of society. I guess I will eventually forgive that society for acting in such an inhumane manner.

I have to agree with ME123.
The principal was setting out the catholic way of forgiveness, which if you really are a catholic you should understand.
He was not suggesting you be Fergusons friend, support him or anything like that.
Pedophilia is a disgusting crime, however I believe the only people who can truly cast stones in the equation are those affected i.e. the victims.
I am catholic and I find it some of the comments published a little offensive as they seem to be coming from people who don't undestand the religion.
I am also not saying I in anyway support Dennis Ferguson, quite the opposite. However, I hope to never come in contact with the man so raging and ranting a figure that probably exists in some form or another in every community is not going to get me anywhere.