I spent two years teaching in the max security and camp of Lewisburg Penitentiary and in the max, medium and low securities of the Allenwood Complex, two federal prisons in Pennsylvania. My nephew was also a DMD spending one day in each. We would often say that there were more potential Saints in their populations than outside the walls.
Many of them had deep introspection and I am sure they had remorse. There was religious services but in the federal system there were many Muslims. I never met a priest but I would be sure that he would be welcomed.
Why am I not surprised by this! You have the tough outer shell with a soft lining :-)
We would often say that there were more potential Saints in their populations than outside the walls.
Is it the Corporal Works of Mercy that say we should visit the prisoners? (it's been so long since I've heard those words).
5 years ago, a freshly ordained Maronite priest was assigned to a parish in MI, where he did prison ministry. Not only did he rise up to the challenge, he superceded it by baptizing 31 inmates. You can read the awesome story of how he converted hearts through Eucharistic adoration here .
Last year, he was recalled to Lebanon and assigned to a parish up north. During the recent 33 day war, his village welcomed 300 Muslims, providing food, shelter and clothing. Father extended an invitation to any who wished to join the catholics in prayer each evening. Many did! The children especially loved 'Abouna' (Father in Lebanese). One young boy asked him for a cross to wear. Father told him he needed to get permission from his parents. The parents agreed and Father presented him with a cross to wear around his neck.
Once the cease fire was announced, the Muslims packed up their bags and left, inviting Father to come and visit them. He did! The first time he drove south, the entire village came out to greet him. Same thing, the 2nd time. After returning to his village, the Muslim families called to invite him to come for dinner and bless their homes. He returned south and was welcomed once again with open arms. The Muslims explained to Abouna that had the tables been turned, the Muslims would NEVER have done for the christians what was done for them.
Sadly, many of the Maronite Catholic Churches in the south were badly damaged during the bombings. Syria is now funding the Muslim families to help them rebuild their homes but the christians have received nothing. Father took up a collection amongst his friends in the US and presented $3,000 to one of the bishops in the south, whose eparchy suffered the most damage. He was most grateful!
You can read more about Father Elfeghali's experiences, here , on his blog.
One thing that the "new, improved" version of Christianity has dropped is sin - and the free will that goes with it. A person who is in prison, if he has any awareness at all, knows he has done something wrong and that he has the ability to repent and change this. Once upon a time, the prison ministry was very important in the Catholic Church. But then it got flooded with soft-headed women, rather than priests, who spent their time basically telling the prisoners that it was all okay, God didn't really care, they were fine and groovy as is. That's not what these guys wanted to hear. They wanted to get their lives in order, straighten up and fly right, and these ditzy ladies were basically telling them their serious project in life didn't really matter after all.
Small wonder they went off to the Muslims, who told them that it was all okay because they were killing kaffirs and all they had to do was pray five times a day in the direction of Mecca and all would be well. Irrational, but at least it was something, which is a heck of a lot more than the Catholic Church (or any Christian organization outside of Chuck Colson's Prison Ministries) gave them.