Global Forgiveness Day

July 7th is celebrated as Global Forgiveness Day. It provides an opportunity to remind ourselves of the importance of forgiveness. It is a day to forgive, and a day to be forgiven! It was created in 1994 by the Christian Embassy of Christ's Ambassadors. The date has been moved from August 27th to August 7th. Studies show that people who forgive are happier and healthier than those who hold resentments.

Forgiveness is the cessation of resentment, indignation or anger as a result of a perceived offence, disagreement, or mistake, or ceasing to demand punishment or restitution.

In most contexts, forgiveness is granted without any expectation of restorative justice, and without any response on the part of the offender. In practical terms, it may be necessary for the offender to offer some form of acknowledgment, an apology, or even just ask for forgiveness, in order for the wronged person to believe himself able to forgive.

“It is human to error, it is divine to forgive”