EWTN Catholic Q&A

Forgiveness -- then what?....
Question from Broken but Faithful on 08-13-2012:

Good Morning Dr. Geraghty --

I am certain in all of our lives someone has wronged us - even to the point of being them being a danger (or at least perceived to be a danger in one way or another) to ourselves and our families. Now, once we forgive them for their wrongs, are we obligated to bring those who wronged us close again - that is, if we do not try to bring them close and treat them as before, did we really forgive them?

Thank you and may God Bless you!

Answer by Richard Geraghty on 09-15-2012:

Dear Broken,

You can forgive someone without trying to get close to them. You can be respectful and polite but still keep them at a distance.