Interviews with four Catholic prison chaplains provide some insights into their experiences working with communities within our prisons.

As well as the day-to-day chaplaincy role of providing pastoral care, providing access to the Sacraments, communion services and other church services, Prison Chaplains also ensure that the prisoners have access to Bibles and other religious references, materials and spiritual literature.

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The reconciliation means that the sisters will resume their programs inside the jail.

They were stopped earlier in the year after an attack on the sisters' residence.

In April, 12 armed men drove into the Sisters of Mercys' compound in Goroka. They brutally assaulted three sisters and stole personal items like laptops, mobile phones and cash money.

One of the attackers had been caught after a police road block while the others are still on the run.

Sister Maryanne Kolkia, pictured above, was beaten up during the burglary.

At the reconciliation meeting in the prison she told the prisoners that they should appreciate the work the sisters do and make use of what they have to offer.

"We the Sisters of Mercy and other churches and non-governmental organisations are doing these work for you the prisoners to benefit from," she said.

"We do not expect anything from you in return but the way several criminals are targeting us is a concern that needs to be addressed."

The reconciliation was organised by the jail commander Superintendent Simon Lakeng at the jail.

Lakeng thanked the Sisters for their faithfulness in assisting prisoners.

Source

postcourier.com.pg

tokstret.com

Image: cathnews.com

When Mary Kamo started working as a catholic chaplain at Christchurch Women's Prison, there were fewer than 50 prisoners inside the facility.

It was 1983 and she was the first laywoman to become a chaplain to prisoners in New Zealand. Read more

"I'm pleased that Sr Veronica Casey PBVM has accepted this role and look forward to working with her in this capacity. I'd like also to take the opportunity to applaud the work of the Catholic prison chaplains who undertake this ministry in challenging circumstances, said Archbishop John Dew, President of the New Zealand Catholic Bishops' Conference.

"Sr Veronica has a wide range of professional experience at managerial, advocacy and policy level, the foundations of which are gained in a very sound Catholic education followed by nursing training, and ongoing education and formation experiences with the Presentation Sisters. This background will be of great value in her new role as Senior Chaplain", said Archbishop John Dew.

Sr Veronica joined the Chaplaincy Service in 2007 and prior to that gained experience of the justice system through practicum visits to Mount Eden and Paremoremo Prisons as part of a Psychiatric Nursing Course, some pastoral experiences in prisons in Ireland as well as working in Victim Support and as a Restorative Justice facilitator.

"Having worked in prison chaplaincy roles as well as other work that is similar I'm looking forward to taking up this position and leading a team of chaplains who do valuable work in our prisons to make a real difference in the lives of inmates and their families in often trying circumstances", said Sr Veronica Casey

"Often the work of our chaplains is unknown to the wider community, but my experience in working with them is that they offer connection and a sense of community to people who very often feel alone and isolated from the rest of society", she said.

Educated by Dominicans and Mercy sisters, Sr Veronica nursed in New Zealand and overseas, and undertook senior administrative roles as a health professional before a Presentation Sisters' retreat marked the turning point in her life.

She made her final profession on 18 September 2012.

Source

• NZCBC
• Union of Presentation Sisters
• Image: NZCBC

Serco admitted the prison had been using a temporary prison chaplaincy team since four permanent padres left in October after failing to agree with the company's plans. Serco said the situation "isn't ideal".

Salvation Army prison visitor Collin Mellors said he rarely attended Mt Eden any more since it was taken over by Serco.

Source:

• Stuff.co.nz
• Image: Zimbio