A healing evening for people who have been abused

national | public consultation / irish social forum | press release Saturday October 08, 2011 00:42 by Dave - www.lamhhealingfoundation.com

A healing evening for people who have been abused takes place in Cork on Sunday October 16th.

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A healing evening for people who have been abused takes place in Cork on Sunday October 16th.

The 'Evening of Healing' is the first of its kind in Ireland and has been specifically designed to cater for anyone that has suffered at the hands of an abuser.
Supporters, family members and those wounded by allegations of abuse within organisations are also invited to attend.
The Healing Evening aims to recognise pain suffered as a result of all types of abuse, sexual, physical, clerical, institutional, abuse inflicted in the home, workplace or elsewhere.

The event is centered around a 'No Blame or Shame' ethos and instead encourages recognition and acceptance with a view to the promotion of healing.

A programme of poems, music and symbolic gesture is planned as part of a sensitive and beautiful ceremony, taking place at the SMA Hall in Wilton, Cork at 3pm.

Programme highlights include: the lighting of symbolic candles to represent light in darkness, a short meditation through music and the Sharing of the Stones gesture - in which guests will symbolically relieve themselves of the burden of abuse by depositing stones in a shared circle.

The programme will culminate with the Dance of Transformation - representing healing and reconciliation - featuring the butterfly as a symbol of light and beauty following periods of trial or tribulation.

A final (non denominational) blessing will be shared to mark the end of the ceremony.

"May your tears wash away your hurt and free your heart.
May you walk free one day from that place of pain,
reunited with your bruised heart, now healed and freed."

***The event is based on a concept of healing initiated by Dave Dineen, founder of the LÁMH HEALING FOUNDATION, Leap, Co Cork ***
(www.lamhhealingfoundation.com) and includes support from:

- Fr. Liam O’ Driscoll, Director of Safeguarding, Diocese of Cork and Ross

- Michael Joyce, Psychotherapist

- Josephine Fitzgibbon, Psychotherapist

- Redempta Furney, a parish Safeguarding Representative

- Jim Connolly, a former parish Safeguarding Representative.

"The Healing Evening is about solidarity, sharing and the promotion of healing," Dave Dineen said.
"It is for those that have been affected by sexual or other abuse, in all its manifestations, within the family, in institutions, in the church or in any other setting as well as their families, their carers and supporters.

"The evening is carefully designed and focused so as to respond to the need for healing and renewal.
It is structured so that those who participate will leave with a sense of hope in their own worth as individuals and as valued members of the community."

The event is free and all are welcome.

Contact:

Dave Dineen 0857857512

[email protected]

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