(Psalm 142.8)
An exposition of works of decorative and applied art of prisoners was opened on 8 Februar, 2011, in the museum in Stry, region of Lviv. The exhibition "Transformation by God's Love" is conducted by the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC) in cooperation with the Penitentiary Service of Ukraine. The initiator of the Exposition in Stry is Most Reverend Taras Senkiv, OM, Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese Stry.
Bishop Taras Senkiv told during the opening ceremony: “This exhibition I would like to call “a meeting of two worlds” - of a world in which we live and of a world of those who, rightly or wrongly, have occurred "in another dimension”. As long as a man lives on earth, he always has a chance for conversion. But for us as a caution should sound the words of Jesus Christ: "I was in prison, and ye visited me not." Society has, in a large extent, responsibility for everyone and for its destiny, and, in particular, for people that made a mistake. Indoor space of prisons is not a space for revenge. Today we see how people deprived of their liberty, try to talk about their intrinsic state. So let this exhibition be an eloquent call for us, there are people who are suffering and who need our attention. Soon we will reflect on the parable of the prodigal son. This is a story about a young man went astray, but then turned, came to his father, who never ceased to love him. Let us pray for them, let us be merciful as our heavenly Father is merciful.”
Eparchial prison pastors were present as well. Rev. Ihor Ilkiv, chaplain of penal institution of Mykolayiv, marked: "I'm sure, we should talk about prison more, because the more life behind the walls is closed to us, the more we are closed to people who are there. Usually we treat them with caution, we are not ready to meet them at liberty, and we are ready to overcome the internal barrier. As you can see, pictures present scenes of life quite earthy and real. "
Rev. Andrew Zaritsky, chaplain of prison facility #110 with over three hundred inmates, added his comment: "The main mission of chaplain - to bring Christ, help prisoners to understand God's word, to percept God's presence among us. This exhibition is showing us that there are many good and talented people among prisoners.
The project aims to promote understanding between the society and imprisoned people through art and to familiarize the wide circles of public with steps of reformation of the penitentiary system in the context of the prison pastoral ministry of the Church. With the assistance of the State Penitentiary Service of Ukraine, 148 works of 142 authors were passed from penitentiary institutions of all regions of Ukraine. The exhibition was already shown in Kyiv, Donetsk, Chernihiv, Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, Truskavets and Drohobych.Eparchial prison pastors were present as well. Rev. Ihor Ilkiv, chaplain of penal institution of Mykolayiv, marked: "I'm sure, we should talk about prison more, because the more life behind the walls is closed to us, the more we are closed to people who are there. Usually we treat them with caution, we are not ready to meet them at liberty, and we are ready to overcome the internal barrier. As you can see, pictures present scenes of life quite earthy and real. "
Rev. Andrew Zaritsky, chaplain of prison facility #110 with over three hundred inmates, added his comment: "The main mission of chaplain - to bring Christ, help prisoners to understand God's word, to percept God's presence among us. This exhibition is showing us that there are many good and talented people among prisoners.
The most important objective of the pastoral ministry in prisons is reviving people who committed crimes and are in conflict with the law and society. Thanks to art, the prisoners have a possibility to feel the spiritual connection with the society and to be revived spiritually.
Cardinal Lubomyr Huzar called Ukrainians to support convicted fellow citizens in their aspiration for the light. The pictures by the convicts represent their vision of the world: this shows that their souls are inclined to light, that they feel human dignity. "We should support our citizens in that. Let us try, because they can behind bars and barbed wire create something wonderful, make adequate steps towards their neighbors in order to transform the life and world with the love of the heart and richness of the soul," stressed the patriarch as he described the exhibition.
<a href="http://risu.org.ua">Джерело публікації: risu.org.ua</a>
No comments:
Post a Comment