Nairobi (Fides Service) - Recently in Nairobi, the DSP Sisters, Daughters of Saint Paul, succeeded in carrying the Word of God to 4000 detainees at Kamiti maximum security state prison. In agreement with the chaplain the Sisters visited the prison accompanied by papal nuncio Archbishop Giovanni Tonucci. As they went along the corridors they were welcomed by cheering and singing on the part of prisoners, mainly Catholics, prepared by the chaplain and catechists. The Nuncio enthroned the Bible and celebrated Mass accompanied by the prison choir. After the Mass, held in the large inner courtyard, there was time to answer questions which the prisoners had written previously on pieces of paper and given to the Sisters. The Nuncio answered them all with care giving explanations. The questions were varied, ranging from requests the abolition of the death penalty to allowing prisoners to read daily newspapers to know what goes on in the outside world. As well as questions the prisoners also expressed their gratitude for the visit.
The nuncio and the Sisters were accompanied by prison guards to the death penalty and life sentence sectors of the prison. With the Word of God the visitors brought a little hope and cheer to the unfortunate inmates who were touched and grateful for the visit. Before leaving the Sisters distributed Bibles in Swahili and English and booklets with spiritual thoughts and a few short prayers. Not long after the visit the Sisters received an official letter of thanks from all the prison inmates and an invitation to come more often. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 31/8/2004; Righe 18; Parole 271)