Message for the Prison Ministry Sunday August 9^th

(August 8, 2009) On this Prison Ministry Sunday, celebrated on the 9^th of August, the church once again encourages the believers in Christ to live the words of Jesus, “When I was in prison you came to visit me”. There are more than 3, 60,000 Prisoners in our country, languishing in 1397 prisons. The church tries to proclaim through the prison Ministry the profound dignity of every human person despite their cruelties, even those condemned to death,” said Bishop Peter Remigius, Patron of the CBCI Commission for Prison Ministry in his message. Our human dignity comes from God our creator, in whose image we are all made. Despite their criminal behaviour they are longing for love and affection, he added. The prisoners suffer from utter loneliness and helplessness. Love seems far away from their life. It is to such persons Prison Ministry India is reaching out. The Bishop said how the volunteers of PMI go regularly to the prisons and teach inmates about the unconditional love and forgiveness of Jesus. PMI recognized by the CBCI, also help the children of prisoners for their education. There are about 18 rehabilitation centres all over the country, and released prisoners are given a chance to renew their life at such centres. The PMI volunteers rekindle the spiritual flame in prisoners, lift them to high moral standards and renew their lives through counselling, cultural program, visiting the families, retreat, prayer, training in skills, free legal aid and the like. He concluded with word about their Patron Saint Maxmillion Kolbe. He was imprisoned in the Concentration Camp during the Second World War and sacrificed his life for another following word of Jesus who said “there is no greater love than that he lays down his life for others”.