What? said Oprah

 

I watched the big interview last week as Harry and Meghan explained their side of the story to Oprah Winfrey. I did so because I felt that I should know what was being said rather than out of any desire to share in speculation about the deeds of any member of our Royal Family. We all know that there is nothing like a televised interview to put matters straight! Predictably, since then there has been a frenzy of comment and accusation in both directions which leaves one with an uneasy feeling.

Shortly after the interview, there were polls asking which side of the issue we took. Seemingly younger people mainly support Harry and Meghan, with older people stating that they have betrayed their family. Why do we have to take sides? It is a deeply personal matter between members of the family which can only be solved by them as people communicating and hopefully understanding, forgiving, accepting, reconciling. Adding an intense media spotlight and ongoing public fascination is unlikely to help that process. And we all know what overwhelming interest caused with Harry’s mother, and we would do well to remember the immense wave of public grief caused by Diana’s tragic death. Wasn’t that also coming from a sense that we had all been guilty of demanding too much information, too many intrusive photographs?

There are times when we need to make decisions for and against. Issues such as violence against women, racism, the threat of climate change, all need us to stand up strongly for what is right. Likewise with taking a positive leap of faith. But anyone who has had a disagreement knows that there really are two sides to every story, and the skill of facing the hurt caused or felt is a soft skill. It needs to come from the heart, and what chance is there of resolving this situation of the press and the public are all lined up to say that only one side is or can be right?

Reconciliation is a word which we often use in Christianity, and it speaks primarily about Christ bringing us back to God when we had wandered away from God in our self-serving and sinful ways. That “bringing back” is only possible when the two parties are in dialogue. In religious terms it means being willing to acknowledge one’s shortcomings and turn from them. In personal relationships it means – much the same! Recognise that we are human with our shortcomings, with our varying stories and perceptions, hopes and fears, and make peace that enables us to flourish as people, families and nations.