ASK FR BITAJU | KAIROS GLOBAL | MARCH 2021

Author: Fr Bitaju

Q36. We have prison ministries to help prisoners. But if the law has punished someone, should we interfere? If yes, is it only for Christians or can it be for everyone? 

The foundation of Catholic social teaching is the defence of human life and dignity, i.e., created in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:26-27), every human person has an inviolable dignity, value and worth. As such, the most wounded victim and the most brutal criminal retain their humanity. Therefore, any system of penal justice must recognise, promote and safeguard this human dignity while carrying out their responsibility (Evangelium Vitae, 56). Prison ministry in the Church is based on these basic truths revealed in the Scriptures and taught by the social teachings of the Church. 

Both the Old and the New Testament clearly manifest God’s justice and mercy. In the OT, God gave his people Ten Commandments, the basic rules for living, and entered into a covenant relationship with them. Yet, time and again the Israelites failed to be faithful. Consequently, punishments were required, reparations were demanded and relationships were restored. But the Lord never abandoned his people. In the NT, Jesus demonstrated his discontent with the oppressors (Matthew 23) and those who defiled sacred spaces (John 2). He disapproved punishment for its own sake, pointing that we are all sinners (John 8). He rejected revenge and retaliation and expressed hope in the conversion of offenders. Further, Jesus invited us to visit the imprisoned (Matthew 25).  

Following the heart of God revealed in the Scriptures, a statement of the Catholic Bishops of the United States (2000) on ‘A Catholic Perspective on Crime and Criminal Justice’ establishes that, a Catholic approach to criminal justice cannot and will not tolerate behaviour that threatens lives and violates the rights of others. ‘We believe in responsibility, accountability and legitimate punishment of those who harm others or damage property. All the same, a Catholic approach affirms that both victims and offenders are children of God and so, does not give up on those who transgress the law. Their lives and dignity should be protected and respected, despite their very different claims on society. We seek justice and not vengeance.’ The Catechism of the Catholic Church delineates that the purpose of punishment for criminal activity must be: a) the preservation and protection of the common good of society, b) the restoration of public order, and c) the restoration or conversion of the offender (CCC 2266). 

As the Church is the representative of Christ on earth, she reaches out to those in prison, recognising in them the dignity of God’s creation, no matter how far they have fallen; trusting that no one is beyond Christ’s love and power to redeem. While addressing the National Convention of Italian Prison Chaplains on 23 October 2013, Pope Francis said that ‘…it is very demanding and very important since it (visiting prison) expresses one of the works of mercy: to make the Lord’s presence visible in the prison cell.’  

It is clear from the discussion above that the prison ministry in no way interferes with the law of the land and it is open to every human person, not merely Christians, as this ministry is in defence of the inviolable human life and dignity. 

You Cat 288 

Is man responsible for everything he does? 

Man is responsible for everything he does consciously and voluntarily [CCC 1734-1737, 1745-1746]. 

No one can be held (fully) responsible for something he did under coercion, out of fear, ignorance, under the influence of drugs or the power of bad habits. The more a person knows about the good and practices the good, the more he moves away from the slavery of sin (Romans 6:17; 1 Corinthians 7:22). God desires that such free persons should (be able to) take responsibility for themselves, for their environment, and for the whole Earth. But all of God’s merciful love is also for those who are not free; every day he offers them an opportunity to allow themselves to be set free for freedom.