There is a lively discussion on the pages of America concerning forgiveness in the context of the sexual abuse scandal. The discussion began with an article by Camille D'Arienzo in the current August 18^th issue “Mercy Toward Our Fathers” . “In All Things” - the blog of America has under “The Forgiveness Debate” (Posted at: 2008-08-20 09 by Tim Reidy) the following question: “…Charles Lewis, the esteemed religion reporter for the National Post in Canada, has published a Q&A with Sister Camille in which she discusses the anger that this topic can summon: Q. Can a mere mortal forgive this kind sin? [emphasis in the original]”

I wonder how forgiveness could be questioned in a Catholic - Christian context, when we know that to forgive is not something optional, but we are commanded to forgive by the Lord!

To forgive we should not only these people but even more horrendous criminals, without condition. And it is possible humanely - and with the help of grace - as numerous martyrs, saints from the history of the Church (beginning from Jesus on the Cross who said what he said for an education of all) and Holocaust survivors can attest. And we all should strive to become saints! We should forgive also those who don't ask for forgiveness, even those who maybe don't even realize that they committed something against us. We are called to be people of forgiveness!

I am convinced also that the healing of any victim of any crime necessitates forgiveness, it should be one of the steps of their therapeutic process to forgive the perpetrators.