Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Concepcion (Agenzia Fides) - "I know it is not easy to be here when you know we celebrate the Feast of the country outside.
However, despite being in this situation, no one can force you to stop loving your homeland": are His Exc. Mgr. Fernando Chomali’s words, Archbishop of Concepcion, during the homily of the Mass celebrated in the Prison center of El Manzano in Concepcion .
Mgr. Chomali emphasized the Church's pastoral work in prisons, coordinated by Fr. German Hermosilla, prison chaplain, who works with inmates and the guards. A group of pastoral workers regularly visit the prison population and also follow their families. Within this pastoral ministry, there are weekly programs that prepare inmates to receive the sacraments.
The Archbishop invited the inmates to have "a grateful heart, knowing that God listens to us" and concluded: "He is always with us, because although we have made mistakes, Jesus Christ is always merciful. This Mass we prepared for you is really a living space, of faith, of hope, with which we want to encourage everyone". (CE) (Agenzia Fides 18/09/2013)
