Letters

African prisoners seek correspondents

Len Clark

Contents - Apr 2007 - Buy a copy now Editorial: Benedict XVI's document on the Eucharist - Michael Gilchrist Book Launch: B.A. Santamaria and Australian Catholicism: Cardinal Pell's tribute - Cardinal George Pell News: The Church Around the World 'Equal opportunity' legislation threatens Christian teachings - Babette Francis Catholicism and secularism in Britain: a test of strength on same-sex adoption - Joanna Bogle History: How much do Catholics know about ecumenical councils? - Frank Mobbs Vocations: New survey of successful US dioceses: lessons for Australia - Michael Gilchrist Rockhampton Lenten program: 'whatever that might mean' - AD2000 Report St Faustina: The Divine Mercy apostolate: a spirituality to transform the world - Eva Kimnes Belief: Christian-Muslim dialogue: major stumbling blocks - Fr Richard Umbers Letters: Liturgy: what next? - Franklin J. Wood Letters: Church leadership - P.W. English Letters: Money talks - Richard Stokes Letters: Saints needed - Arthur N. Ballingall National Church Life Survey clarification - Bob Dixon Letters: Catholic schools Letters: Catholic atmosphere - Stuart Paterson Letters: Free and fair markets and the Church's social doctrine - Chris Hilder Letters: Capital punishment - John Gallagher Letters: Scourge of the West - Kevin McManus Letters: African prisoners seek correspondents - Len Clark Letters: Contraception - Tim Coyle Books: The Way of Love: Reflections on Deus Caritas Est, Livio Melina and Carl Anderson - Tim Cannon (reviewer) Books: Catholic Thought Since the Enlightenment, by Aidan Nichols OP - Michael Daniel (reviewer) Books: Aspects of Authentic Church Teaching, by Fr Sebastian Camilleri OFM - Michael Gilchrist (reviewer) DOES YOUR PARISH STOCK AD2000? Books: Books available from AD2000 and Freedom Publishing Reflection: Benedict XVI on the transforming power of the Resurrection - Pope Benedict XVI

As a result of my having corresponded with inmates in an African prison over recent years I have been asked by three of those unfortunates to try to locate other Christians who may be interested in writing to prisoners on a regular basis.

These people exist in the most squalid situations - no clothes, no bed, no bedding, no chance to appeal, not enough food, not even any money with which to buy a postage stamp, no medical assistance, yet all have come to Christ since being sentenced.

If some of your readers would like to make the life of these Christian brothers a little easier please write to me at the address shown and include a couple of International Reply Paid Coupons from the post office. I will forward your letters to Zambia, and the prisoners at Kabwe will reply to you by air mail.

To help ease the boredom of their existence at night they also seek others who may like to donate small battery radio cassette/recorders with headphones (or walkmans) with Christian tapes - especially Christian teaching tapes.

Quoting from their letters, Geoffrey C. writes, 'Will you help me by circulating my humble request in your magazine my situation here is very terrible no one brings me food or toilet items I draw your attention on the miserable life through which we are passing ... please come to our aid before we die from starvation ... and ... by faith I say as much as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren you have done it unto me'.

Davies M: 'Here in prison malaria has claimed a lot of lives ... Our prayer group are always praying for you ... please help with supportive Scriptures on how we can draw on (Jesus) for His healing payment as Christians here get no medical help'.

Tanasias Y: 'Our conditions in prison are poor, not sleeping well on concrete floors without bedding, no bathing buckets, bare feet, no means on how to lodge an appeal ... without your help nothing good can come of us ... the morning prayer group pray for the drought to end. Proverbs 25: 25 says as cold water is to a weary soul, so is good news from a far country'.

If this request for pen pals touches your heart and you want to help your brothers in their hour of need, please contact me at Curries Road MS6, Dubbo 2830. I am a pensioner and not on the Internet.

LEN CLARK
Dubbo, NSW

Reprinted from AD2000 Vol 20 No 3 (April 2007), p. 16