UUUUunglaublich: Da kommen vorzeitig entlassene Menschen freiwillig wieder zurück ins Gefängnis.
Eine korrupte Regierung, und was bringt das jetzt? Für diese gewissenhafte, ehrliche Menschen,
unglaublich. Gott, ich kann das nicht glauben. Bitte vergib uns.
So etwas darf doch nicht sein. Lies den Bericht von Fr. Eli:
Bilibid Stories: This morning I got to see and talk with a number of former inmates who came back to the Bureau of Corrections in response to call for them to surrender themselves or be shot to death before the deadline. Although I do not know the almost two hundred “surrenderees” personally, I have met a number of them. I dare say that I have talked and interacted with many of them. They may have committed criminal acts in the past. But that was in the past, where many of them were under the influence of drugs, overcome with emotions, overpowered by alcohol, not as or not even educated, and driven by the urgency of basic needs, among others.
During their time in prison they paid for their crimes. Life in prison is not a vacation. Life in prison is difficult. One has only to hear the cries and the pains of the inmates. One has only to see the tears and faces wrought with pain and anguish. One has only to feel the sorrow and agony. But during the time in prison, the inmates also reform. They were given a chance to change, from participating in the spiritual activities like Masses and recollections, enrolling in education classes, attending talks and seminars, learning skills, taking part in sports and programs, etc. And, although this is admittedly not true for everyone, I could say that there are many changed men, good persons. They committed bad things in the past but years of incarceration have reformed them.
During their time in prison they paid for their crimes. Life in prison is not a vacation. Life in prison is difficult. One has only to hear the cries and the pains of the inmates. One has only to see the tears and faces wrought with pain and anguish. One has only to feel the sorrow and agony. But during the time in prison, the inmates also reform. They were given a chance to change, from participating in the spiritual activities like Masses and recollections, enrolling in education classes, attending talks and seminars, learning skills, taking part in sports and programs, etc. And, although this is admittedly not true for everyone, I could say that there are many changed men, good persons. They committed bad things in the past but years of incarceration have reformed them.
During Mass, I looked at each of them. Many were old. Many were feeble. All had the look of sadness uncertainty. The people I talked with shared their sense of acceptance of the situation, but with a sense of loss and dejection. Some of them had already found jobs. Some had begun to spend time with their loved ones. Many I dare say were trying right their lives, for themselves and for their loved ones. But the chance to prove that they have changed, vanished, dissipated. It is as if the hope given them became a fantasy, a dream, a bubble that was suddenly pierced.
Msgr. Olaguer spoke to the men after the Mass. He said that perhaps society is not ready for them to be released. This broke my heart. When is the right time? When they are dead? When they are too old that walking, eating and even breathing becomes difficult and gruelling? When they are too sick that recovery is no longer an option?
When can we look beyond the past and see the present as a gift to these changed men? When can we forgive and give another a chance to change and an opportunity to live a better life? Will release from prison never be a reality?
Let us pray for these men that they may not lose hope. Let us pray for their families who have not given up on them. Let us pray for our society that we do not close the doors on them and simply judge them because of the past. Let us pray for all who experience sadness and a sense of gloom because of what is happening.
May we see the rainbow after the rainfall, the light after the darkness, and the certainty and power of God's love and mercy during these times of loss and uncertainty. #BilibidStories
11 SEPT. 2019 – A Unity Mass was offered in front of the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) Administration Building officiated by BuCor Chief of Moral and Spiritual Division Fr. Dominic R. Librea, with concelebrators Msgr. Roberto A. Olaguer, retired NBP Chief Chaplain and Fr. Eli Rowdy Y. Lumbo, SJ, PJPS Executive Director.
The mass was attended by a hundred PDL returnees, BuCor employees and some members of the different religious and non-government organizations.
More than 200 PDL returnees (and counting) are hold in a large hall of the BuCor Administration Bldg. Most of these returnees are old, sick and indigent. The holding area is not conducive for sleeping and does not have proper ventilation.
Call for Support!
These PDL returnees are in need of immediate support like food ration, water supply, sleeping mats, toiletries. If you/your group would want to support them, CALL 659-0513 or message us.
These PDL returnees are in need of immediate support like food ration, water supply, sleeping mats, toiletries. If you/your group would want to support them, CALL 659-0513 or message us.
Die Awareness Week - eine tolle Gelegenheit mitzumachen:
On the occasion of the Philippine Jesuit Prison Service (PJPS) 25th Founding Anniversary, we have aligned this milestone occasion on the church's celebration of the National 32nd Prisons Awareness Week on 21-27 October 2019.
Various activities are lined up for the celebration that includes:
1) ENGAGEMENTS of different institutions and communities and EXPOSURES in the New Bilibid Prison of students and various groups and organizations.
...Mehr anzeigen1) ENGAGEMENTS of different institutions and communities and EXPOSURES in the New Bilibid Prison of students and various groups and organizations.
oder bei dieses Sammelaktion:
