At the invitation of the Center for Christian-Jewish Understanding (CCJU) of Sacred Heart University, Fairfield, Connecticut, Detective Steven McDonald spoke to members of the University community and other guests in the Pitt Center Boardroom on Friday, November 3, 2000, on the topic, “Journey of Forgiveness.” The lecture was free and open to the public. 

Detective McDonald shared how his life was shattered 14 years ago when, as a 29-year-old New York City cop, he was shot in the head and then twice again during an investigation in Central Park. He has been in a wheelchair and on a respirator since then. And the 15-year-old “gunman” was captured and sent to prison. Detective McDonald corresponded with him there, hoping to engage him in his work of reconciliation after the young man's release. “The only thing worse than the bullet in my back would have been revenge in my heart thereafter,” he said. Instead, just days after Shavod Jones was set free, a motorcycle accident took his life. 

His life since the shooting has not been easy, and he remains paralyzed from the neck down. He admits to being “anxious to go to heaven” on occasion but professes that the decision to forgive “has brought me great happiness. I've always been at peace about it.” Although forgiveness is a “daily effort,” he urges young people, especially, to find “freedom and new life” in forgiveness.

He said, “When I was hurt 14 years ago, I thought everything was over. But gradually through the love and encouragement of my family, friends and faith, I came to see that my new life had unexpected opportunities and that I could still work as a police officer serving others—just not the way I expected. My wife and Cardinal John O'Connor really helped me in this area. I'm not doing what I thought I would be doing. But my goal in life is to serve God and others the best way I can.” 

David L. Coppola, Ph.D., director of Conferences and Publications for the CCJU, spoke with the assembled group and indicated that forgiveness was essential if people are to move forward in healing. However, a major challenge to interreligious dialogue, for example, is that forgiveness does not mean the same thing for every religion. He said, “We cannot presume that everyone has the same idea of forgiveness that we do. Forgiveness takes time and requires deliberate processes of trust and respect. Healing rests on our ability to make the most of difficult situations and to serve God as best as we can in each of our religious traditions. What is clear, however, is that hatred breeds violence and misunderstanding, and forgiveness gives birth to healing and new possibilities for peace. Detective Steven McDonald has chosen to be a harbinger of hope and healing and the world is better because of his witness.” 

Detective McDonald has brought his message of reconciliation to thousands of young people around the country and has three times participated in peacemaking efforts in Northern Ireland, among other places, joining forces with members of the historically persecuted Anabaptist sect of Christians.