Society must help bring hope and light in lives of prisoners, exhorts Archbishop of Goa

Panaji – “God the Father sent Jesus into the world to proclaim freedom to all types of prisoners, those locked up within stone walls as those imprisoning themselves spiritually and mentally. Our Baptism has given us the mandate to be instruments, fully alive to continue this mission of Christ,” said the Archbishop–Patriarch of Goa and Daman, Rev. Felipe Neri Ferrao, in a message for Prison Ministry last Sunday, on August 8.

The Archbishop has made a fervent appeal to the society to change their attitude towards the prisoners so that through their actions they can reveal the love of Christ. He exhorted them to practice understanding, patience and reconciliation in their lives and so that the worth of true friendship is realized.

“Our relationship with our unfortunate brethren must be one that brings hope in their lives and leads them towards renewal,” he said.

He also urged members of society when possible, to join the Goa PM Team to visit the prisoners and their families, donate towards their support and help release prisoners to re–establish and rehabilitate themselves in the society and begin life afresh on a positive note. He called upon the people to embrace these prisoners and welcome them within the folds of the society and not be judgmental so that they are kept apart and isolated.

According to the Archbishop, such human–values–oriented attempts will help the prisoners return to society as worthy and reformed citizens. He called upon priests and the laity to make concerted efforts to serve the underprivileged brethren so that we can “Better the World of Tomorrow”. This is our heartfelt wish and ardent request, he said.

He said this was a special call to the priests in the Pastoral ministry to spread this message among all the faithful so that a new lasting relationship is sowed among them and the prisoners, the victims and their families.

All the efforts of the Church in Goa that are directed towards building the community members as fellow pilgrims would become more fruitful and the Lord would shower His blessings on all missionary work, he said.
PMI began in Goa in 1997 and till date service is rendered by a team in the main Aguada jail, in Vasco sub–jail and in the judicial lock–ups at Mapusa, Panjim and Margao. In Goa as well as in the rest of India, the Prison Ministry is committed to service to prisoners – whether guilty or not yet proved innocent – their families, the victims and their families. Special attention is given to the children and their needs.

St. Maximillian Kolbe is the ever–shining source of inspiration in this Apostolate. PMI works under his patronage. Fr Kolbe was in a concentration camp during World War II.

By our correspondent