ABSTRACT
Catholic theology admits that forgiveness is difficult, but essential to its practice. Indeed, all major theologies and their clerics talk about, and many have written about forgiveness. They all contend that we need more forgiveness in our lives and that to forgive is to get closer to divinity. The popular literature also speaks to the intensity and demands that forgiveness brings to the human equation. One student thought there is a clear delineation between apology and forgiveness. One can forgive without an apology, but can not self forgive without the act of apology. In thinking about all of this, it seems that the nature of the “hurt” is an important part of forgiveness. That is, “hurt” can occur at many different levels and in many ways. When the readers explore forgiveness, in conjunction with difference, sometimes the more calculated types of hurts can be found.
