Q. As Christians we are called to practice forgiveness. How can we do that in every instance? For instance, when we see on the television people being beheaded, how is it possible to forgive those people?

Can they be forgiven?

A. We consider the forgiveness of the unspeakable violence by extremists in the same way we consider forgiveness for murder or any other mortal sin.  In order to be forgiven for the sin one commits, one must regret it, have contrition for it, and have the firm purpose of not doing it again. Then that person must ask to be forgiven.

Forgiveness means you are forgiven for having broken what is the law of God. It doesn’t forgive your responsibility for undoing the consequences of your sin if you can. In other words, a thief who steals something valuable has to give the item back.  There is the responsibility of restitution.  Going to confession and confessing that you stole the crown jewels is not enough. One has to give them back.

In the case of the beheadings and acts of terrorism, it is hard to see that there will come a time when the perpetrators regret their actions. Do we as Christians have an obligation to forgive them for their acts? The answer would be no because there is no request for forgiveness, no act of contrition and no request for mercy for themselves. So the most we can do is pray for God to turn their hearts and souls from stone and see that they turn away from violence and hatred.

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