Prison Ministry

Visit with inmates at Lehigh County Jail and provide fellowship and instruction in the faith.
Work with legal and professional counselors on behalf of inmates.

What does the Church say?

Volunteers in prison ministry face several challenges in their work. One challenge is the need to ensure that sufficient pastoral resources are invested in the spiritual care of prisoners, as stated in Sacramentum Caritatis (2007)[1]. This means that volunteers may need to advocate for and work towards providing adequate support and resources for the spiritual well-being of prisoners.

Another challenge is the need to provide for the material and spiritual welfare of prisoners, as mentioned in Africae Munus (2011)[2]. This includes addressing the conditions under which prisoners serve their time, which may not always foster respect for their dignity. Volunteers may need to navigate and address these challenging conditions while still providing pastoral care and support.

Additionally, volunteers may face the challenge of witnessing new crimes being committed within the prison environment, as noted in the Compendium of the Social Doctrine (2004)[3]. This highlights the importance of creating an environment that promotes respect for the dignity of prisoners and fosters their rehabilitation.

Furthermore, volunteers may encounter resistance or indifference from both prisoners and the wider community, as mentioned in Evangelii Gaudium (2013)[4]. Some prisoners may resist fully engaging in the spiritual journey, while others may view the task of evangelization as a burden. In the wider community, there may be a lack of interest or understanding of the importance of prison ministry. Volunteers may need to address these challenges by finding ways to engage and inspire prisoners and by raising awareness and promoting the value of prison ministry in the community.

In summary, challenges faced by volunteers in prison ministry include the need for sufficient pastoral resources, addressing the material and spiritual welfare of prisoners, navigating challenging prison conditions, witnessing new crimes, and overcoming resistance or indifference from prisoners and the wider community. These challenges require dedication, perseverance, and a commitment to promoting the dignity and well-being of prisoners[1][2][3][4].

Footnotes:

  1. [Sacramentum Caritatis 59] https://www.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/apost_exhortations/documents/hf_ben-xvi_exh_20070222_sacramentum-caritatis.html#INTRODUCTION
  2. [Evangelii Gaudium 81] https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/apost_exhortations/documents/papa-francesco_esortazione-ap_20131124_evangelii-gaudium.html
  3. [Africae Munus 83] https://www.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/apost_exhortations/documents/hf_ben-xvi_exh_20111119_africae-munus.html#INTRODUCTION
  4. [Compendium of the Social Doctrine 403] https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/justpeace/documents/rc_pc_justpeace_doc_20060526_compendio-dott-soc_en.html#INTRODUCTION