There Italian Catholic Churchthanks to the funds of the8×1000he gave a gift of over 2,000 fans distributed in 30 penitentiary institutions across the country to help inmates cope with the summer heat. It is a sign of closeness to those people who live behind bars. Last year they donated Bibles, printed specifically by the CEI for the prison and this year they had the great idea of donating ventilators.
Among the various detention institutions the Vibo prison also benefited from 80 ventilators, thanks to the commitment of the chaplains Don Maurizio Macrí and Don Pietro Pontoriero who listen to the problems of the prisoners every day together with the deacon Raffaele Cuppari who manages Caritas helping the poorest and most fragile prisoners with the distribution of clothing and economic subsidies.
In the summer, life in prison undergoes significant changes, many activities are suspended such as school and various workshops, the day becomes increasingly difficult to live because time seems to never pass as if the day was lived passively. The mission of the Church inside the prison, with the figure of the chaplains of the volunteers and the deacon, is to bring a word of comfort and hope to the detained brothers. “It is a gesture and a very praiseworthy attention on the part of the Italian Church and of discreet interest in the current situation of our prisons. – explain the priests – How wonderful it would be if the community in parishes were sensitized on the occasion of patronal feasts, instead of spending money only on fireworks or famous singers.or in the strong liturgical moments of Advent – Lent in the collection of clothing for indigent prisoners such as overalls and T-shirts or in the collection of cosmetics for personal hygiene.
Many times we dwell on the negative judgment towards our detained brothers but precisely because they have hit rock bottom and committed a crime, I believe that need our human, moral and spiritual support to avoid falling back into error, only in this way can we help them improve to be people ready and free to take back control of their lives, because life is beautiful and must be lived in the best possible way. And even when we make a mistake, we must serve the right sentences but also remember that our law allows a path of re-education, rehabilitation and repair of the harm done. Repression does not eradicate evil but represses it and hides it to then reappear in a much stronger way.
We educate about justice and legality, we promote fair and if necessary severe punishments but we give everyone the opportunity to redeem themselves and improve in order to improve the rotten places and situations from which they come..