Forgiveness a gift to all community

Dunsborough’s Our Lady of the Southern Cross Church will host a special Forgiveness Service tonight, joined by guest speaker Una Glennon, whose daughter Ciara was a victim of the 1997 Claremont serial killings.

The service is co-ordinated by the leaders of the Combined Churches of Dunsborough and is open to all.

Ms Glennon will speak about her book, Ciara’s Gift; Grief Edged with Gold, and her personal experience of grief, loss and their redemptive powers. In 1997, Ciara was 27 years old and was working as a lawyer.

On Friday, March 14, 1997, Ciara was at the Continental Hotel having drinks with colleagues, and was last seen alive walking down Stirling Highway in Claremont just before midnight.

In December, 2016, Bradley Robert Edwards was charged with Ciara’s murder.

In her book, Ms Glennon writes: “Ciara’s death gave me new eyes through which to evaluate my own life and I am grateful for all I have learnt.

“If only I could have done so without Ciara’s death”.

Father Ian Johnson said her speech would inspire those who had experienced grief, loss or trauma.

“In forgiveness comes light and life,” he said.

“Even in the darkest moments, hope is there to be found.”

Stuart Taylor from St George’s Anglican Church said Ms Glennon’s book and speech would enlighten community members on dealing with loss “in all its forms”.

The service will start at 7pm tonight at Our Lady of the Southern Cross Church, Naturaliste Terrace.