How can one offer up an apology for an act or acts that one did not commit?

Answer: One can't.

If you are not the offending party, it is not your "right" to apologize.

Using logic here... if you're apologizing for something you didn't do, you are trying to manipulate the situation in one way or another to gain favor with one of the parties involved for a reason.

Of course, what you say is correct. However, fake apology does sound nice and make the other person think you really care if they don't look closer. Usually they don't so you do sound like a nicer guy.

I come from a German family background (heritage). Does that mean that I (myself) owe all Jews an apology for what the Nazi's did?

No... I didn't have anything to do with that. I can't apologize for something I didn't do.

Same thing goes for slavery... and reparations.
Wrong people, wrong time period.
Seeking justice from the wrong people...

Yes you do, you scumbag. Your so and so killed jews and therefore you are responsible. Be a man and take responsibility. Look at the bible. Adam and Eve sinned so WE are all thrown out of paradise. Sins of the father.

Never heard of "guilty by association and/or relation"?

PC.

That was the thrust of it.

You one funny Chinaman!:D Makey me laughy!;)

And if you were female, Me, give you everything you want. Boom Boom long time.

A relative of mine was an Ambulance driver in WWII. He was killed when a bomb was tossed out of a plane belonging to the allies. When do I get my check and written apology?

Apologies to all and sundry but this here's one sorry thread.

Best apology/act of contrition I have ever seen:

From the John Wayne movie "The Cowboys", Dern is about to lynch Brown

Roscoe Lee Brown: Since you mean to hang me, I'd like to atone to my maker.
Bruce Dern: You've got one minute. Speak your piece.
Roscoe Lee brown: Where to begin?
I regret having trifled with married women.
I'm entirely ashamed at having cheated at cards.
I deplore my occassional departures from the truth.
Forgive me for taking your name in vain.
My Saturday drunkeness, my Sunday sloth.
Above all, forgive me for the men I have killed in anger,
and for those I am about to.