Letters

African prisoners

John Evans

Contents - Sep 2007 - Buy a copy now Editorial: How to ensure AD2000's continuing impact - Michael Gilchrist Pastoral Letter: NSW and ACT Bishops call for a shake-up in Catholic education - Michael Gilchrist News: The Church Around the World A successful quest for vocations in Melbourne - Br Barry Coldrey Rome reaffirms Vatican II's teaching on 'one true Church' - Frank Mobbs New Age: Centering Prayer and other spiritualities: are they Catholic? - Wanda Skowronska 'Thought that has been thought out' - John Haldane Rediscovering the real history of Australian Catholic education - Eamonn Keane Catholic education must be 'unashamedly Catholic' - Bishop Robert Finn Laity: How the Legion of Mary can benefit parishes - Fr Hugh Thwaites SJ Letters: Vatican II - Peter D. Howard Letters: Infallible? - Francis Vrijmoed Letters: Dr Mobbs' response - Frank Mobbs Letters: Extraordinary? - Mark Szymczak Letters: Lapsed Catholics - Robert Garratt Letters: Preaching - Kevin McManus Letters: Religious attire - Tom King Letters: African prisoners - John Evans Poem: A poem for Mary's Birthday - Brian Joseph Mulligan Books: THE BEAUTY OF THY HOUSE, by Mark Alessio - Tim Cannon (reviewer) Books: FAITH AND CERTITUDE, by Thomas Dubay SM - Tim Cannon (reviewer) Events: Silent Retreat 9-12 November 2007 Books: Books available from AD2000 Reflection: An informed conscience: what the Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches - Bishop Luc Matthys

For some time I have been corresponding with prisoners in the maximum security prison in Kabwe, Zambia. I originally received the information through correspondence at our Serra Club meeting. Originally there were two, but as time has passed several more have sent letters.

The conditions in Zambian jails are less than acceptable, with overcrowding and hygiene issues being far from satisfactory. The men with whom I correspond profess to be Christian although Zambia is a predominantly Muslim country. Their letters always start and conclude with a Christian greeting.

The prisoners have sent me the name and address of a Catholic priest who visits them, and with whom I have also corresponded. I try to send them soaps and toiletries and international postage vouchers, as they have no money to purchase stamps. I also send Catholic magazines and publications, bibles, and rosary beads. They rarely see friends or family.

I am seeking readers who may feel inclined to write to some of them, to offer them hope and encouragement in maintaining their faith while they complete their time. One prisoner has been on remand since January 2000, but not yet convicted. I don't know much about their crimes and make no judgement, but rather encourage them to place their trust in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Comments from them indicate they greatly appreciate any letters as these are their only contact with the outside world. Anyone interested in assisting can obtain their names and addresses from me at 1/38 Horsley St, Wagga Wagga 2650, NSW, (tel) 02 6922-6287 or by email: evans07 @ bigpond.com

JOHN EVANS
Wagga Wagga, NSW

Reprinted from AD2000 Vol 20 No 8 (September 2007), p. 15