The Garden of Forgiveness at Ground Zero
Why a Garden of Forgiveness?
Nobel Prize winner Archbishop Desmond Tutu, in his most recent book, declared, "There can be no future without forgiveness." It is vital that, as we rebuild Lower Manhattan, we acknowledge the sanctity of this hallowed ground and the need for forgiveness as one of the first steps toward healing which will lead to a peaceful future. The Sacred City Project is honored to present the Garden of Forgiveness at Ground Zero, modeled on the Garden of Forgiveness in Beirut, Lebanon. September 11 has international importance: individuals from 67 countries, and nearly half that many faiths, were killed in the terrorist attacks. It is essential that all nations and all faiths be a part of the future at Ground Zero, and a future that replaces religious violence with understanding, cooperation and lasting peace.
The birth of a multi-faith spirit of healing
The religious nature of the acts of September 11, combined with the coming together of so many faiths and nationalities in the relief effort, laid the groundwork for us to create the Garden of Forgiveness at Ground Zero. The diverse multi-faith communities of New York united after 9/11 to help, to serve together, and to work for healing. We seek to transform this vital energy into a living memorial to those lost on 9/11, but also to provide a focal point for the unprecedented spirit of peace and healing born at Ground Zero, the very site of devastation.
What do we seek funding to do?
We seek funding to create the Garden of Forgiveness at Ground Zero. Costs will include: hosting a design competition and purchasing materials; negotiating with local authorities and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey for space at the site; outreach to faith communities throughout the world for ideas and participation; creating a website to solicit additional ideas and collect signatures to be used in gaining the support of the governmental and quasi-governmental agencies responsible for the site; and, advertising and public relations campaigns. We are currently researching the costs in each category in order to prepare a preliminary budget for the Garden of Forgiveness.
Background and Mission of the Sacred City Project, Sponsor of the Garden of Forgiveness
The Sacred City Project is a direct outgrowth of the interfaith relief efforts that happened spontaneously in New York in the months following 9/11. The Rev. Lyndon Harris, the Project's Executive Director, was the Priest-in-Charge at Saint Paul's Chapel at Ground Zero, a respite center for victims' families and recovery workers. The Sacred City Project's mission is to continue the work of this spontaneous interfaith community by providing opportunities for ongoing interfaith education and interaction, by creating a sacred space at Ground Zero, and by working to ensure an ongoing voice for the interfaith community in the redevelopment of Ground Zero and in the continuing public dialogues of our city. The organization has received funding from the U.S. Trust Corporation Foundation and the Ferragamo Family, as well as individual donors; a working relationship with New York Disaster Interfaith Services has been established to facilitate interaction with the interfaith community.
