According to the results of a survey of 1,400 adults (Journal of Adult Development, 2002) forgiveness is associated with decreased psychological distress. This includes decreased feelings of hopelessness, nervousness and restlessness. On the other hand, asking for forgiveness rather than granting it was found to be associated with increased psychological distress.
Forgive and remember.
Society can become "ever more human" only when we introduce into all the mutual relationships which form its moral aspect the moment of forgiveness, which is so much of the essence of the Gospel. Forgiveness demonstrates the presence in the world of the love which is more powerful than sin. Forgiveness is also the fundamental condition for reconciliation, not only in the relationship of God with man, but also in relationships between people. A world from which forgiveness was eliminated would be nothing but a world of cold and unfeeling justice, in the name of which each person would claim his or her own rights vis-a- vis others; the various kinds of selfishness latent in man would transform life and human society into a system of oppression of the weak by the strong, or into an arena of permanent strife between one group and another. (Papal Encyclical, Dives et misericordia, 30 November 1980).