From 15-19, November, 2022, Prison Ministry of India (PMI) organized its National Convention at Joseph Vaz Pastoral centre in Goa. Sr. Inigo Joachim gave a motivational talk on the occasion. Based on excerpts from her presentation, Janina Gomes interviews her on her views on Prison Ministry and her experience of the same.
- You were present at the Synod of Bishops, “Vita Consecrata” in Rome. What struck you most at the Synod?
I was at the Synod of Bishops in Rome on the theme “Vita Consecrata”. Mother Theresa was also there as a special invitee of Saint Pope John Paul II. Some of us were allowed to make an intervention of 6 minutes each in the Synod Hall. When Mother was handed over the microphone, what she spoke for 6 minutes surprised us all; she spoke only these few words: Love Jesus and Love the Poor. All the Cardinals and Bishops were looking at Mother intently and listening in pin drop silence as she said this. All of us can say these few words: “Love Jesus and Love the poor.” But from whom these words come is important. The one who really loved Jesus and the one who really loved and served the poor had the guts to say these words. Her mantra was: Be a sign of God’s love and God’s compassion.
- What motivated you to join the Prison Ministry?
The Word of God challenged me: The first message in the vision Statement of Jesus was: “I have come to release the prisoners” – Lk. 4: 18. The last message of Jesus according to Mt: 25: 36: was. “I was in prison and you came to see me”.
As I was finishing my term as the leader of our Congregation, these words gave me a clear vision of my future ministry. I was inspired by my Foundress’ vision of uplifting the rejected, illiterate, rural girls. When I translated her vision in the light of today’s changing situation, I found the prisoners are the most neglected, rejected and forgotten people who are the least, last and the lost.
Sr. Carmelita, one of our sisters had already been involved in Bangalore Central Jail and I got an opportunity to visit that prison during my periodical community visits; this gave me first-hand information of who those people were and how they would need my involvement. On the prison walls it is written: ‘Hate the crime and not the criminal’.
Mrs. Kiran Bedi, the first woman IAS Officer posted as Director General of Tihar prisons, was also my inspiration; she was the one who changed the jail into an ashram as she spoke words of wisdom. “A Prison is not a place of punishment but a place of correction and reformation”. She opened the gates of Tihar prison to NGOs, to enable them to meet the inmates and bring a change in their monotonous life and outlook.
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