Ministry of Presence
Our presence affirms to the incarcerated that God has not abandoned them. “I was in prison and you visited Me.” God calls us to understand that whatever we do unto the least of our brethren, we do unto HIM. The imprisoned are among the least of our brethren and are also among the most neglected in our society today. As the bishops of the U.S. Catholic Conference indicated in their recent declaration on Restorative Justice, the imprisoned are sorely in need of support.
Becoming involved in the prison ministry affords individuals and organizations an opportunity to witness through their presence to the incarcerated. An information class is held periodically to give volunteers an insight into this ministry. Contact Fred Crowe at 574-277-5784 for information on classes.
Father Tom McNally C.S.C is a fine example of the Ministry of Presence.
A man of many talents starting with his days prior to his priesthood as a reporter for a national press organization. After his ordination to the priesthood he was the editor of a youth publication called Catholic Boy and Catholic Miss. He then spent many years in campus ministry at the University of Notre Dame to be followed by several years as pastor for Hispanic parishes in California and Indiana.
Now at the ripe age of 80, he has taken on prison ministry work where he regularly visits the Indiana State Prison in Michigan City, IN. In this work, he visits and counsels inmates, including those on death row, and he celebrates Sunday mass for 90-100 inmates. Father Tom was recently recognized by the Indiana Department of Corrections as the outstanding volunteer for the State of Indiana.
A true servant of the Lord
Read Father Tom' article about his experiences as a Prison Minister.
Public Perception Needs to Change
"Inmates in our prisons cannot be rehabilitated". This is the viewpoint of many of us whose knowledge is tainted by the media and other communicators. The media gives more than ample coverage of released prisoners who have continued their criminal behavior but little attention to the many who have stayed out of trouble. It is thus understandable that the public would have a distorted view of prisoners and believe a "lock em up and throw away the key" is the best policy. This viewpoint by the public of course resonates with legislators who are reluctant to propose any legislation which would indicate they are not "tough on crime". This "tough on crime" policy of the last 25 years has done little to reduce crime as evidenced by our prison population of 2.3 million which has more than doubled during this time and far exceeds per capita other western countries.
Prisoners are human beings and children of God who loves them despite their failings. They are the "least of the brethren" that Jesus talked about and they need our support to assure them that somebody cares.
For several years, my wife Rosemary and I have been involved in the prison ministry attending mass with the inmates and spending time talking with them. I have also conducted a bible study program with several of the inmates. Through these relationships, we have become aware that many of the inmates have either been or can be rehabilitated. The prison we visit is a maximum security prison so the inmates there have committed a serious crime. Some were young when they committed the crime, some were on drugs and/or alcohol, some committed the crime in a fit of anger or passion and some are chronic offenders.
The national recidivism rate approximates 60% which is unacceptable. This indicates among other things that rehabilitation is not happening in our prisons many of which are merely warehouses with little help for the inmates. Additionally, upon release, not much is done to assist them in finding gainful employment. Employers are hesitant to hire them, with the result they revert back to their criminal behavior.
Tremendous advances over the years have been made in our sciences, technologies and human relations but little has changed in the way our prisons are run. This oversight is a CRIME to the 2.3 million incarcerated, to the victims of the continued criminal behavior and to the taxpayers who have to pay the mounting cost of our prisons.
It is time for all of us to take a good look of how we view prisoners. They are not people to be warehoused. They are God's children needing our love and assistance. With this change in our perspective, legislators will be receptive to make the necessary changes in our prisons and bring them into the 21st century.
Fred Crowe is a former partner of the national CPA firm--Crowe Horwath Group and a member of the Order of Malta.