MANILA, Jan. 10, 2011—A conference is to be held to give prison chaplains and volunteers an update on the criminal justice system.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) aims to create a pastoral program for a more effective ministering to the inmates.
It includes the coming up of a prison ministry agenda for the next three years and to solidify and strengthen partnership among the country’s prison volunteers and chaplains.
The meeting, where participants can question experts in prison ministry, will be held at the Carmelite Missionaries Center for Spirituality in Tagaytay City from February 3 to 6.
Organized by the CBCP Episcopal Commission on Prison Pastoral Care (ECPPC), this year’s 8th General Assembly of Chaplains and Volunteers in Prison Service will reflect on the theme “Toward Justice that Moves Beyond Punishment.â€
Held every three years, the assembly will be attended by 210 delegates from 49 Catholic dioceses and representatives from 9 non-government organizations.
Speakers include Coalition Against Death Penalty (CADP) President Fr. Silvino Borres, SJ, Atty. Theodore Te of the Legal Affairs of the University of the Philippines, Fr. Willy Samson, SJ, assistant to the President for Formation of the Ateneo de Zamboanga.
Focus Group Discussion will be conducted on topics like alternatives to imprisonment; victims, offenders and their families’ experiences of the current criminal justice system; servant leadership and discipleship; lobbying and networking and collaborative partnership to reform jails and prisons; reform agenda of the criminal justice system and caring of the caregivers.
Puerto Princesa Bishop Pedro Arigo, ECPPC chairman will open the assembly with a Mass on Feb. 3.Imus Bishop Luis Antonio Tagle, meanwhile, will lead a Mass on Feb. 4 and 5.
The assembly will end with a pledge of commitment to the assembly’s declaration and the ECPPC agenda for the year 2011-2013 in a Mass to be officiated by San Fernando (La Union) Bishop Artemio Rillera, ECPPC vice-chairman. (CBCPNews)
