By Fr. Sebastian Vadakumpadan –
There was a sharing by a nun at the Delhi convention of Prison Ministry – India. She was a regular visitor to prison. One day, one of the woman inmates asked the nun to teach her a prayer. The nun wrote the prayer, ‘Our Father’ on a paper and gave it to her. The woman inmate, along with others, recited the prayer regularly for an early release.
When the nun met her fellow prisoners the next time, she enquired about the woman inmate to whom she had given the prayer. The prisoners told the nun that the woman prisoner recited the prayer given by her and that she was released from prison a few days ago!
While leaving prison, another prisoner asked the nun again the same prayer in writing for an early release. The sister wrote and gave the same prayer. When the nun went to meet the prisoner the next month, she was told that the second lady too was released!
Nowadays, everybody keeps asking the same prayer from the sister.
“Your Grace, can you wash my feet?” A prisoner asked the archbishop after washing the feet of 12 prisoners in Tihar jail.
Archbishop Kuriakose Bharanikulangara was the main celebrant for the Holy Thursday ceremony in Tihar prison. As usual, Archbishop was about to finish washing the feet of 12 prisoners. Then came an inmate forward to the altar and asked, “Can you wash my feet too?” It was a surprise for Archbishop Bharanikulangara and other guests at the prison.
However, the Archbishop happily accepted offer and washed his feet as the 13th prisoner. Later he told the Archbishop that he was falsely accused and put in prison. He was not sure of the reason of his coming to prison.
This incident was an eye opener for us. In the light of the above, the Prison Ministry has decided to reach out to the 13th person who was willing to seek our support.
Every Prisoner has the right to listen to the Word of God, says Most Rev. Bishop Theodore Mascarenhas, Secretary General, CBCI.
Every prisoner, even those who are condemned to death, has the right to listen to the Word of God. While inaugurating the northern regional conference of Prison Ministry India, Most Rev. Bishop Theodore Mascarenhas, Secretary General of CBCI mentioned about absolute right of every prisoner to listen to God. Jesus, even at the cross, accomplished his duty of proclaiming the Word of God to the thieves on his right and left side of him. Let us accomplish our duty of ministering the Word of God to the people behind the bars.
Fr. Sebastian Vadakumpadan (BA, LL.B and LL.M) is a priest of Archdiocese of Ernakulam – Angamally and a native of Muringoor, Trichur, Kerala. He was ordained on 7th of Feb, 1996. He is an advocate and practiced in the High Court of Kerala. He is a former Asian delegate of International Commission of Catholic Prison Pastoral Care for Asia and earlier national coordinator for six years. He is at present the National Coordinator for 5 years and Secretary to CBCI for Prison Ministry India Desk