Matthew Fox

Rev. Matthew Fox is an American priest and theologian who was silenced in 1988 for one year by the Catholic Church for his controversial teachings. Eventually, he separated from the Catholic Church and joined the Episcopal Church in 1994.

Fox was an early and influential exponent of a movement that came to be known as Creation Spirituality. This movement draws inspiration from the mystical philosophies of such medieval Catholic visionaries as Hildegard of Bingen, Thomas Aquinas, Saint Francis of Assisi, Julian of Norwich, Dante Alighieri, Meister Eckhart and Nicholas of Cusa, as well as the wisdom traditions of Christian scriptures. Some scholars say these traditions are close to those that were first laid out by Jesus. He helped found the Institute for Culture and Creation Spirituality (ICCS) in 1977 which is located in Oakland California on the campus of Holy Names College.

His latest project is the Summer of Peace 2012 which he calls a global movement to cultivate inner harmony and create a culture of peace. According to the website, The Summer of Peace will help you:

• Experience inner peace and the ease, joy and wellbeing that come from that harmony.
• Create harmonious relationships with your family, friends, coworkers and community members.
• Discover new ways of communicating that create deeper trust, love and intimacy in all your relationships.
• Learn how to forgive people who have harmed you in the past.
• Learn how to forgive yourself for harm you have inflicted on others.
• Heal painful wounds within yourself, family, community and nation.
• Make a commitment to peace and to become a beacon of peace in the world.

For his dedication to spiritual enlightenment, peace and forgiveness throughout the world, Dr. Matthew Fox will be presented with the Champion of Forgiveness Award at the 18th Annual the International Forgiveness Day Awards Ceremony on Sunday August 5, 2012. Also honored will be Kia Scherr, Sara Lahey and Rev. David McArthur as Heroes of Forgiveness for their selfless and powerful acts of forgiveness.

Rev. David McArthur

In 1971, David McArthur was early in the early stages of his law career. He was thriving as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of New Mexico. He had a beautiful wife and a newborn baby. That life was shattered when one day he came home and found his wife missing and later learned she had been murdered. Eventually, for his own peace of mind, he had to meet her murderer and find the release of forgiveness. This eventually led him on a journey that, in 1980, saw David MacArthur exchange the suffix Esq. signifying he was licensed attorney, to the prefix Rev. signifying that he is an ordained minister. He is now Senior Minister of the Unity Center of Walnut Creek.

David entered the ministry in order to support people by bringing the life-enhancing power of forgiveness and other spiritual tools into their relationships and challenges. His purpose has led him to become a nationally recognized leader and speaker in the science, laws and techniques of human transformation and heart intelligence. According to Rev. McArthur, "Each time I access the deep intelligence of my heart, I feel as though I have allowed Spirit to move into my being at a deeper level, guiding and caring for me."

David is the co-author with his father of the book, The Intelligent Heart, which describes how the scientific discoveries of the Institute of HeartMath and the power of love bring personal transformation, physical change and spiritual growth. David McArthur is one of the very few people in the world who is certified to present the HeartMath science and techniques in public seminars and presentations.

In his spiritual work, now as Senior Minister of the Unity Center of Walnut Creek, along with his work as a life coach, Rev. David McArthur teaches that a consciousness of forgiveness is the key to inner peace. As he explains it, "When you want inner peace MORE than you want to cling to righteousness and justice... then you can let go, forgive, and be free."

For his act of forgiving his wife's killer along with his dedication to the work of spreading of the power of love and forgiveness, Rev. David McArthur J.D. will receive the Hero of Forgiveness Award at the International Forgiveness Day Awards Ceremony on Sunday August 5, 2012.

Sarah Lahey

As a child, Sara Lahey, had a life filled with pain and sadness, police and social workers. Her created a place of fear and danger for her as she became a target of their anger and frustration. The child abuse was so severe that Sara had to be removed from her home for her own safety. She grew up moving from one foster home to another. In Sara's words, "I had a very heartbreaking childhood. …I never really had anyone around me who could be an example of a positive and a good experience as a kid, and I wanted to know if that was possible and if that was possible for everyone and could I help make that happen for the world."

Sara's first project was herself. In order to move forward, she realized that her parents' abuse was an expression of their pain and frustration. She chose to forgive her parents and released herself from the past. That act of forgiveness freed her to move on to her bigger mission.

The Hunting Happiness Project was born from her growing need to express her love to the world and touch as many people as possible. According to Sara, "I wanted to show people we are all instruments of happiness for ourselves and each other. In March 2010, I took my heart, my humor, and my hunt to the world and decided – 'I can make the world happy!'"

Sara's extraordinary act of forgiveness combined with her efforts to bring happiness to the world has given the world a true hero. Because of her Hunting Happiness Project, which is now international, as well as her producing Love 'N Aid events all over the world, Sara Lahey will be honored as a Hero of Forgiveness at the International Forgiveness Day Awards Ceremony on Sunday August 5, 2012.

Kia Scherr

In an act that surprised many around the world, Kia Scherr publicly forgave the men who killed her husband and daughter in the coordinated terrorist attacks on Mumbai, India, November 26, 2008.

"Life as I knew it changed on November 26, 2008 when my husband, Alan and 13-year old dughter, Naomi, were shot and killed by terrorists in the Tiffen Restaurant at the Oberoi Hotel in Mumbai, India along with 158 other people.

"We can create a positive outcome to this heart wrenching tragedy by taking a stand to honor the life we all share. The time has come to join together as one. We are one human family. Let us honor the sacredness of life in ourselves and in each other. Together we can shift the scales of balance to a life affirmative focus. It begins with each one of us, with the choices we make moment to moment. Let us choose love, understanding, acceptance, compassion and forgiveness as a baseline for all of our interactions. In so doing, we elevate not only ourselves, but everyone we meet."

At the International Forgiveness Day Awards Ceremony on Sunday August 5, 2012, Kia Scherr will receive the Worldwide Forgiveness Alliance Hero of Forgiveness Award for her powerful act of forgiveness!