"When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?" (Matthew 25:39)

I was reflecting the other day on that wonderful parable of the Last Judgement from the Gospel of Matthew and in particular the challenge that Jesus laid down to ““visit the sick and imprisoned”.  Of all the things that Our Lord refers to in this very important teaching, reaching out to show the compassionate face of Christ to those in prison is perhaps the hardest to do.

Many of us struggle to love and have sympathy for those who have been convicted of a crime and  sentenced to prison. After all,  for every crime there is a victim, and they too deserve our compassion.  People who are sentenced to prison need to pay their debt to society. But that doesn’t mean they should be forever ostracised. No-one is beyond redemption. That is the reason why the Bishops of New Zealand have established prison chaplaincy which we are highlighting on Caring Sunday this year. We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to change, and to rebuild their lives no matter how hopeless or lost they feel.

Our prison chaplain ministry offers prisoners hope for a future that is better than their past, and encourages them to see the light at the end of the tunnel. One prisoner confided to a chaplain who was visiting him that “I wasn’t always bad. I just got to a bad place and I don’t want to go there again.”

The Catholic Church has a Catholic prison chaplain in every prison facility in the country. Prison chaplains are special people who are well received by prisoners and prison staff. It is one of the most challenging ministries – helping to rebuild shattered lives of prisoners and of their families. Chaplains listen and counsel prisoners in their sorrows and struggles. They share their broken dreams so that reconciliation and healing may take place.

I have been inside a few different prisons and spoken with inmates myself. I can honestly say that I understand why Jesus told us to visit those in prison. Our prison chaplains bring hope, and without hope there is little reason to live.

While it is not possible for everyone to visit prisoners, you can support our prison chaplain ministry through prayer. Prisoners need our prayers. The victims of their crimes need our prayers. The families of prisoners need our prayers. And of course, our prison chaplains need our prayers. Would you spend some time this week praying for these people?

"Lord, when did we see You in prison and visit You?"

May God bless you for your concern, your prayers and your compassion.
 
 
+Patrick Dunn
Bishop of Auckland