To say sorry is not necessarily an admittance of guilt but an acknowledgement that someone is hurt. It is true that when we have offended, it is very important to render an UNQUALIFIED apology. Unfortunately, I have seen too many times people apologize with a “but”. You don’t need to add a “but” if you are truly sorry. There is often the urge and temptation to try and excuse ourselves: best if you leave sorry to mean what it is.

Back to why I say sorry does not always mean admittance of guilt. Often times we refuse to apologize because we think that by saying sorry, we have admitted we were wrong.

That may not always be the case. In fact at certain times, it does not really matter who was wrong or who is to be blamed; what is essential is to acknowledge that the other has been hurt.

If a nurse gives an injection to a patient, she does not say sorry because she is to be blamed but she acknowledges that there is pain or discomfort.

Many have divorced, friendships have ended and families torn apart all because someone refused to acknowledge that another person is hurt and in pain. It is an act of Love to say sorry even when you are not the direct cause of pain.

Source: Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Salifu