Formation of a Football team

A Foot Ball Team has been formed by the hard work and relentless effort of Mr. Elvis Joseph, the chairman of the Children’s sports foundation in Bangalore and the members of Prison Ministry. The Final match was held inside the prison premises on a fine day between the prison inmates and the Students of St. Joseph’s College. The Match had ended on a very competitive and thrilling note with the St. Joseph’s college team’s Victory. Bishop Most Rev. Bernard Moras greeted both the team mates for their friendly yet very competitive game and the organizing unit PMI for all their tireless initiatives.

Prison Ministry Sunday (14th August, 2011)

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus



Today the Church celebrates Prison Ministry Sunday, a day set apart to pray for the inmates of prison. It is a special occasion in which the Church reminds and encourages his people to live the words of Jesus, “when I was in Prison you visited me”. By these words we are reminded of our mission towards our brothers and sisters behind the bars. There are more than three lakhs of prisoners languishing in the prisons in our country. The Church tries to proclaim through the prison ministry, the profound dignity of every human person despite their crimes even those condemned to death. Our human dignity comes from God our Creator in whose image we are all made. Despite their criminal behavior, they are longing for love and affection. The greatest suffering for our brethren is the sense of loneliness; their own near and dear ones abandon them. It is to such souls the Prison Ministry India volunteers are reaching out.

When the adulterous woman was brought to Jesus, for stoning her to death, Jesus not only challenges people who came to condemn her but He himself refused to condemn her and said to the woman neither do I condemn you, go and do not sin again, (Jn. 8/19). Thousands of our brethren are waiting for us in the prison. The PMI volunteers go regularly to the prison and join hands with our suffering brothers and sisters thereby they share with them an unconditional love and forgiveness of Jesus.

It is really an alarming situation to say that, large percentage of violent criminals among the convicts and under trials are youths between the age group of 18 to 35. The youth who represent the future and pillar of India have unfortunately deviated their minds off altruism and goodness in to the contemptuous acts of violence, anti-social movements, naxalism etc. Prisoners do not lose their fundamental rights as prisoners, says Cardinal Renato Martino (Vatican). “An imprisoned man has the right to be considered as a person” asserted the president of the pontifical council of Justice and Peace, when opening a seminar on the human rights of prisoners. The crime in the world is rising to an alarming rate. The prison World population has reached to 9 million and in India alone 3,32,112 of which 2,25,817 are under trials. Many of the inmates of prison are innocent, but in no way their innocence is proved in the court and painfully 70% of the prisoners are hailing from broken families.

Prison Ministry India, a national voluntary organization works for the welfare and rehabilitation of the prisoners and their families as well as the victim’s families. Prison ministry India is recognized by the CBCI in the year 2000. There are about 6000 volunteers working for this noble cause. We have 30 rehabilitation centres all over the country. Through these centres, hundreds of released men and women whose life had been found in morally dangerous atmosphere, affected children of prisoners, the victims and the juvenile delinquents enjoy peace of mind and new layers of hope for their life. Our volunteers all over the country are constituted in 850 units, who are actively involved in carrying out various programs like counseling, medical camps, free legal aid, cultural programs, inner healing retreats, job oriented training programs and so on in the prisons of India. Special attention has been given to educate prisoners about their worth and organize programs to make them feel human and the ministry spread across to the families and relatives of prisoners.

So as Christians we have the responsibility to participate in this mission. Jesus reminds us, “truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these, you did it to me” (Mt 25:40). Jesus himself was an innocent prisoner brutally convicted. The culminating good deed on the cross was the rehabilitation of a criminal in to his heavenly paradise. With these perspectives, I humbly request you to pray and help these prisoners, their families and all those who suffer because of them. St. Maximillian Kolbe, the perfect example of inviolable courage, paved an exemplary model of care of the Prisoners through his own life. Kolbe was arrested during the World War II and was sent to the concentration camp. When he was there with the prisoners he shared his meager ration of food with those around him. He prepared many of them to have good confession and prayed for them. Finally he sacrificed his life for the sake of someone else something that we see seldom in today’s world. This is the same what Jesus expects of us, to develop an attitude of sharing, whatever we hold precious in our life, our prayer, our time, our money etc., Therefore let us take a decision today through our prayer and sacrifice to honestly share some portion of our earnings for the rehabilitation of a prisoner.  Remember that we shall pass this way but once. Therefore, any good that we can do or any kindness that we can show to any human being let us do it now.

With words of gratitude and appreciation to all who work hard towards this mission of the Church to release, renew and rehabilitate the brethren in the prisons.

Trichy Zonal Meeting : 23rd July 2011

Diocesan Pastoral Center Date: 23rd July 2011

Prison Ministry India Tamil Nadu is divided into four zones namely Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai and Trichy. Trichy Zone consists of Trichy, Kumbakonam and Thanjavur   Dioceses. Trichy Zonal meeting was conducted on 23rd July 2011 in the Diocesan Pastoral Center, Thanjavur.30 volunteers from three dioceses participated in the meeting.

At 9.30 am we started the adoration before the Blessed Sacrament which is the source of the Prison ministry.Fr G J Anthonysamy the Asst State coordinator conducted the adoration and motivated the group that this ministry is not merely a social activity but a prayer group.

Fr Vincent Xavier SDB the State coordinator explained about the ministry. He shared with the group about the three R theories of the Prison Ministry, Release, Renewal and Rehabilitation.

Most. Rev. Devadas Ambrose, Bishop of Thanjavur in his address recalled his memories of the Prison ministry during his studies in St. Paul’s Seminary, Trichy.  He also said that he is happy that this ministry is being motivated in all the parishes connected with sub jails of the Thanjavur Dioceses and groups are formed in all the sub jails. All the inmates are not criminals. Christ himself identifies with the inmates and said, “I was in prison you visited me”.
After the tea break Fr Vincent presented a video presentation named ‘stunning twist’. It was about a rehabilitated prisoner story.
Mr. A. Jesu Raja State secretary of PMI TN insisted about the basic principle of the ministry namely, Inconvenience is our convenience, bank balance is the providence of God and the begging is our lifestyle. He also insisted that no project should be written in any form and funds for the ministry. And with the blessing of Fr. Anthuvan the meeting came to end at 1.00pm.

National Executive Meeting at Bangalore : 27th July 2011 National Executive Meeting at Bangalore : 27th July 2011

The National executive meeting had been held at the National Office, Bangalore on 27th July 2011. The Meeting began with inviting God’s Blessings amidst the group.  Bishop has undoubtedly expressed his gratitude to Fr. Josekutty about his passionate and diligent hard work he had been exerting in the growth and flourishing of Prison Ministry in India. He admired his enthusiasm and regretted about his absence from the ministry for the coming years.  Subsequently Bishop welcomed everyone in to the gathering with special reference to Fr. Mathew MI, as a new member and Sr. Jemma who had been the National Secretary for a long period.

Fr. Sebastian Vadakumpadan took his privilege to welcome our Bishop Most. Rev. Peter Remigius for his kindheartedness to come all the way here to convene the meeting on our behalf in spite of his busy Schedule as the guardian of 166 parishes under his diocese. Fr. Sebastian also rightly spoke about his inconvenience was reversed to convenience by the repeated intervention and correspondence by His grace Bp. Peter Remigius,  in embellishing  for the second time  the office as the National Coordinator.

Inauguration of a physiotherapy unit for the Prison Inmates : 26th Sept 2011

An auspicious day on 26th September 2011 a Physiotherapy Unit was inaugurated and blessed by the Archbishop. The Chief Superintendent Sri T.H. Lakshminarayan and  doctors of the Prison Hospital welcomed this venture taken by P.M.I. Bangalore Unit as it brings great relief to the suffering brethren. It was the felt need of the inmates and hence, they were overjoyed and grateful. This additional facility was made possible through the generous contribution of Sri Rajendra Hinduja and the members of the Common Purpose Team mainly Sri David Lobo. The Principal and staff of Kripanidhi College of  Physiotherapy have come forward to render voluntary  service in Physiotherpy to the needy brethren They have consented to organize a training program for the Convicted Prisoners who can assist the doctors  in Physiotherapy. We are grateful to the Almighty for this great boon!

Prison Ministry Sunday celebration in the Central Jail, Bangalore

Ray of hope through Faith: 26th September 2011


The brethren in the Parapana Agrahara Central Jail, Bangalore had a day of great joy and hope as the N.G.O, Prison Ministry India which works for the welfare of the prisoners and their families celebrated their Patron Saints day on 26th September 2011. The day was celebrated in commemoration of St. Maxmilian Kolbe who sacrificed his life in the Nazi concentration camp in order to save the life of a fellow prisoner who was the breadwinner of his family and was condemned to death. The Archbishop of Bangalore, Most Rev. Bernard Moras celebrated Holy Mass along with other priests in the Prison chapel for the benefit of the Prison inmates. He prayed for all the brethren and said “ All of us are sinners, but those who seek forgiveness from God are blessed with pardon and grace to begin a new life.”

1. Prevent Crime for a better World (North Regional convention at Delhi)

On the Theme” Prevent Crime for a Better World” Prison Ministry India held its Northern Regional Conference at St. Fracis De Sales School, Janakapuri , New Delhi. The Conference carried through four days from 21^st to 24^th June 2011. The program began with the lighting of the lamp by the Chief guests and later a prayer song by the MPH and SSP brothers. Fr. Joseph Kavalakatt V.C (Co-ordinator Northern Region PMI) welcomed His Excellency Most Rev. Franco Mulakkal (Auxiliary Bishop of Delhi) who inaugurated the function. He also welcomed guest of Honor Shri. Amod Kanth IPS (Former DGP of Arunachal Pradesh and present Chairperson for Delhi Commission for protection of Child Rights). His Excellency Most  Rev. Frederick D’souza (Bishop of Jhansi), Rev. Fr. Sebastian Vadakumpadan (National Co-ordinator PMI), Sr. Adv. Jessy Kurian (Advocate Supreme court of India) Rev. Fr. Mathew Adhoppillil (Principal, Christ the King School, Jhansi).  Advocate Jose Abraham compered the whole function and finally vote of thanks was given by Mr. Joseph.

The Conference focused its discussion on the specific theme “Prevent Crime for a Better World”. The word Crime prevention could be understood this way “is an initiative or policy which reduces, avoids or eliminates victimization as well as agencies that deliver education, housing, municipal, law enforcement and so on.  It is much more than just police, courts and corrections.

Crime prevention encompasses a wide range of approaches, they include,

·         Promote the well-being of people and encourage pro-social behavior through social, economic, health and educational measures, with a particular emphasis on children and youth (prevention through social development).

·         Change the conditions in neighborhoods that influence offending, victimization and the insecurity that results from crime by building on the initiatives, expertise and community members.

·         Prevent the occurrence of crimes by reducing opportunities, increasing risks of being apprehended and minimizing benefits, including through environmental design, and by providing assistance and information to potential and actual victims (situational crime prevention), (UN Guidelines for the Prevention of Crime, 2002).

Rev. Bishop Franco spoke about the importance to explore into ourselves to save others. Our specific mission here on earth could be classified as to know, to love and to serve. God sent his only Son to the earth to save us and we serve Jesus by serving the humanity entrusted to us. “If we are not in the Prison today, it is only the Grace of God”.  He recounted saying, there are 50,000 educational institutions in India, and 1.5 lakhs students reported studying across the country and how much Christian values we are capable of imparting. Can we make a person to encounter Christ by way of our life and habits and finally helping people to reconcile and get reinstated in to the society.  Rev. Bishop D’souza Jhansi opined as “Do small things in a marvelous way for the sake of the humanity will be beautified and hailed high”. Rev.Fr. Sebatian Vadukumpadan expressed his perspectives on the issue of Crime prevention saying, we work jointly for the sake of the humanity because of God’s providence residing in us. Every prisoner is designated by a number inside the jail where prisoner is not important but the number is given priority. It means the person is no more important for them but rather the number. Therefore we have to work hard to change this attitude of the society.

Sr. Jessy Kurian imparted few thoughts on the aspect of right to life and personal liberty. She quoted saying, no one is a criminal unless his/her guilt is not proved. Criminals are conventionally comprehended as the unwanted persons in the society. And we should all fight together against this malaise in order to establish peace and harmony equal for all.

Mr. Amal one of the participants of the conference spoke about the aspect of following strict values in our life. Many a time rules are found very rigid and implying strict disciplines. This governance by strict rules may lead the people to the mentality of taking revenge and committing crime. Fr. Mathew commented that, we are fortunate that we are outside the jail and the unfortunate are in the jail though all of us in one way or the other are criminals.

Many resources persons from various walks of life inspired the gathering by their valuable thoughts and experience. All the participants had the opportunity to walk into the Tihar prison premise and had a close association of the situation there. The meeting ws well arranged and all the participants were endowed with an opportunity to share their experiences and present their views. Participants also discussed about various challenges they face in the ministry and all are of the opinion that church needed to take little more seriousness in the ministry, and we can never compromise on the value and prupose of this ministry that is evangelization, as it should be considered as church’s own ministry.

The valedictory function was inuaugurated by His Grace Archbishop Vincent M. Concessao, the Archbishop of Delhi, and the president of the meeting was Fr. Jose Edassery. Mr. Joseph Koovackal welcomed everybody and Fr. Joseph Kavalakkatt, the North Regional Coordinator delivered Vote of thanks.