European Conference of the International Commission of Catholic Prison Pastoral Care held in Vienna.

22 - 25 February 2015, the European Conference of the International Commission of Catholic Prison Pastoral Care (ICCPPC-Europe) has been held in Vienna at the Academy of Penal Service Austria (Strafvollzugsakademie). The meeting was an important international event in Catholic prison chaplaincy in a year we mark the 65th anniversary of the founding of the organization. Vienna conference focused on the implementation of decisions of the previous meeting held in London. Delegates reviewed the results of the working groups to revive ties between European representatives of the Catholic ministry.

The European branch of the ICCPPC acting under the direction of Martin Schmitz (Germany), met in Vienna by the invitation of Dr. Christian Kuhn, the head of the Catholic Pastoral Care of prisoners in Austria. Dr. Christian Kuhn was a president of the International Commission of Catholic Prison Pastoral Care for two terms in 2003 - 2011 and influenced the mobilization of spiritual, intellectual, pastoral and laity resources to awaken attention to the catholic prison ministry. Fr. Robert Friskovec (Slovenia) was a chair of the meeting. Among the participants were present also:

Christian Kuhn, Catholic Prison Ministry of Austria,
Martins Kruklis, Catholic Prison Ministry of Latvia,
Pieter De Witte, Catholic Prison Ministry of Belgium,
Fr. Franco Fenech, Catholic Prison Ministry of  Malta,
Charlie Mifsud, Catholic Prison Ministry of  Malta,
Xavier Maurice Frendo, Catholic Prison Ministry of Gibraltar ,
Richard Penner, Catholic Prison Ministry of Gibraltar,
Pe'ter Takacs,Catholic Prison Ministry of Hungary,
Fr. Miloš František Převrátil, Catholic Prison Ministry of Czech Republic,
Fr. Constantin Panteley, Catholic Prison Ministry of Ukraine.

Participants of the conference presented the state of criminal justice and activity of pastoral care for prisoners and prison staff. Developments in Ukraine highlighted Fr. Constantin Panteley, Head of The UGCC Office for Pastoral Care in Penitentiary System of Ukraine. In particular, he reported about the status of chaplaincy and volunteer ministry, as well as of the Ukrainian Christian interdenominational mission "Religious and charitable care in prisons", about reform of the prison system.  Fr. Constantin has explained the work on proposals for the second reading of the bill on prison chaplaincy. Especially for the Protection of the Sacrament of Penance. The lively interest aroused new laws adopted in February 2015 by the Ukrainian parliament in penitentiary and prison chaplaincy areas. All delegates expressed strong support and solidarity with the Ukrainian people passing through the ordeal of war.

On February 23, delegates had an audience with HE Franz Scharl, Auxiliary Bishop of Archdiocese of Vienna, who is responsible for pastoral ministry to people in certain age, life or places circumstances (in prison as well). His care is also about migrants. At the meeting, His Eminence Franz Scharl touched the problem of migrants who need more attention of Church due to the fact that they are the largest category of prisoners. He also spoke about the results of ecumenical meetings with representatives of the Moscow Patriarchate in terms of pastoral care in prison and for ex-convicts. The last meeting took place on 29-30 October 2014. (Such cooperation makes sense in view of the need to implement international standards on religious care in a country where held about 700,000 prisoners, and every year the average 250,000 of convicts are being released). Representatives of the Eastern European countries were sсeptical about the sincerity of such a cooperation. Church in Russia keeps an ethical neutrality about flagrant violations of rights of churches and religious organizations after annexation of Crimea and  aggression in the Eastern Ukraine. Religious unfreedom there became qwite compairable with the situation after the Anschluss of Austria in 1938 by Nazis.

On February 24 the participants analyzed the ADDRESS OF POPE FRANCIS TO THE DELEGATES OF THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF PENAL LAW, delivered in Rome in October 23, 2014. "Introduction reforms in justice system are needed throughout Ukraine to survive. The Address of Pope Francis to Lawyers important because it exposed socialogical causes of desire for revenge and punitive populism, corruption and inhumanity in the criminal justice and prison! - Shared about Constantin Panteley: - Pope claims that Corruption is "a greater ill than sin", because impunity of corruptionists themselves."

Thus the conference has been attended by Michael K. Platzer, Liaison of Academic Council on the United Nations System (ACUNS), Chair of Vienna NGO Alliance on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice. He reported about the intergovernmental meeting of experts to review and reform the Standard Minimum Rules (SMRs) for the treatment of prisoners, held in Vienna on 25 - 28 March 2014. Knowledge  of Standard Minimum Rules is important to be prepared as prison chaplains, as prison service staff.

President of the Regional Court of Vienna in Criminal Matters, Dr. Frederick Forsthuber introduced the history and peculiarities of the contemporary Austrian Criminal Justice: Misdemeanor should be heard by a panel of one professional judge and two lay assessors. In cases of serious crimes the board consists aditionaly of 8 nonprofessionals. For criminal acts that do not a significant danger to the interests of the state, society or individuals, penalties are reduced or replaced by a fine or a short-term arrest. For the first time the death penalty for crimes was abolished in 1919, but imposed again in 1933 by Nazis. Finally Austria rejected the death penalty in 1950. The participants of the conference commemorated the victims of political persecution by the Nazis after the Anschluss of Austria 1938 - 1945 Among them, Blessed Sister Mary Restytuta.

"The meetings have taken place at the premises of the Vienna Academy of Penitentiary Service, in Vienna Remand Prison, in the hall of Vienna Regional Court, - shared about the event Fr. Constantine, - it gave me and other participants a chance to be closer acquainted with how the justice system, prison staff called "guardians of justice" (Justizwache), chaplaincy (Gefängnisseelsorge), psychologists, teachers and social workers are functioning. I was particularly impressed by the work of Nico, assistant of chaplain, a layman who combines a variety of skills that make him indispensable: katehist, logist, social worker, interpreter possessing 5 European languages, a driver!"

The conference has ended on February 25. Delegates affirmed the necessity of growing cooperation and exchanges of visits, especially between countries in Central and Eastern Europe and the work ICCPPC to enrich the theological, pastoral and practical background of ministry.

Historical information.

The International Commission of Catholic Prison Pastoral Care (ICCPPC) was founded at the International Congress in Rome in the Holy Year 1950 with the participation of the general prison chaplains from many European countries, United States and Argentina. Congress was convened on behalf of the Secretary of State of the Vatican, the future Pope Paul VI, who was recently beatified. The ICCPPC, which activity is based on the Canon Law of the Catholic Church, now brings together delegates and associate members of more than 100 countries, including Ukraine. The organization operates under the authority of the Congregation for the Clergy and in collaboration with the Pontifical Council "Justice and Peace". Decisions are taken by majority of votes of delegates from national episcopal conferences and synods. ICCPPC presented at the United Nations, and posses the special consultative status. The objectives of the Commission - to awaken and encourage, within the Catholic Church and in society more understanding and sensitivity concerning the prison pastoral ministry. To stir respective Episcopal Conferences and local Ordinariate to revive and develop pastoral mission of the Church in prisons, giving a better support. To organize regular courses for the formation, training prison pastoral ministers. To promote humanization, review and reform of the prison system in the world.

Penitentiary pastoral of the UGCC

A Field meeting Ukrainian interdenominational Christian Mission held In Dnepropetrovsk

On 17 February 2015 in Dnepropetrovsk, has finished field session of the Ukrainian Interdenominational Christian Mission "Religious and charitable care in prisons." Representatives of Churches involved in Mission visited prisoners in Dnipropetrovsk Remand Prison, in which there was a closing session of the Board. Chaplains discussed with experts from the State Penitentiary Service of Ukraine specificity and methods of pastoral ministry in pre-trial detention facilities. Pastors attending investigatory isolators explained an experience of care for prisoners in remand. The Board has identified priorities of the  Mission for 2015 and formed a calendar.

In Dnepropetrovsk started a field meeting of the Ukrainian interdenominational Christian Mission "Religious and charitable care in prisons."

On February 16 -17, 2015 at the basis of penal institutions of Regional Department of the State Penitentiary Service of Ukraine in Dnepropetrovsk runs a field meeting of the Ukrainian Interdenominational Christian Mission "Religious and charitable care in prisons." In the event take part official representatives of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, Fr. Constantin Panteley (Patriarchal Curia) and Fr. Basil Pantelyuk (Donetsk Exarchate).

On Feb. 16, 2015 has been held the following events:

- press conference about meeting of Ukrainian interdenominational Christian Mission Religious and charitable care in prisons in the Information Agency "Most Dnepr";

- attendance of prisoners in Solonyanska penal colony #21 (p. Apolonivka St. Sofia District);

- acquaintance with the conditions created in colony #21 to ensure proper implementation religious rights  of inmates;

- the Conference of the Board of Mission.

Representatives of Churches, which are belonging to interdenominational mission, discussed proposals for the second reading of the bill # 1154 on Prison Chaplaincy and details of cooperation with the State Penitentiary Service of Ukraine to develop Regulation for religious care in the prison system.

On Feb. 17, 2015 participants of the meeting will visit pretrial detention facility in Dnipropetrovsk to review the conditions established for inmates and continue the Conference of the Board of Mission. Than pastors will visit wounded soldiers in military hospital of Dnipropetrovsk.

The event involved members of the Ukrainian interdenominational Christian Mission "Religious and charitable care in prisons":

1) Fr Victor YATSENKO, CEO of Mission, Head of the Synod of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church for Pastoral Care of the penitentiary;

2) Fr Eugene ZATIRKA, deputy head of the Department of spiritual education in prisons of Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Kyiv Patriarchate);

3) Bishop Victor LOBODENKO,Rreligious Center of the God’s Evangelical Church of Ukraine;

4) Pastor Vyacheslav KOGUT, Head of the Department of Social Ministry of All-Ukrainian Union of Christians of Evangelical Faith (Pentacostals);

5) Pastor Sergey LUCKY, Head of prison ministry of the Council of Ukrainian Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists;

6) Eugene DMITRIYEVSKY, Senior Pastor of Prison Ministry in the Union of Free Churches of Christians of Evangelical Faith of Ukraine;

7) Pastor Alexander PUHLYAK, Head of prison ministry of the Association of Independent Charismatic Christian Churches of Ukraine;

8) Deacon Victor DUDKA, prison ministry leader of the Ukrainian Union of Christians of Evangelical Christians-Baptists;

9) Fr Constantin PANTELEY, Mission Secretary, Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church Office for Pastoral Care in Penitentiary System of Ukraine.

From the State Penitentiary Service of Ukraine

1) Igor ANDRUSHKO, Chief of Deprtment of social and psychological work with prisoners of the State Penitentiary Service of Ukraine, colonel of internal service;

2) Alexander VEDMIDSKYY, Deputy Head of the State Penitentiary Service of Ukraine in Dnepropetrovsk region colonel of internal service.

The event was also attended by representatives of religious and civic organizations of Dnipropetrovsk.

 

The Law "On probation" is adopted In Ukraine.

February 5, 2015. The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted the Law "On Probation". Under the law, probation is a system of supervising and social and educational measures that are taken according to the court's decision and the law to the convicted, a system of some types of criminal punishments not connected with imprisonment, and a system of providing the court with the information about the convicted. According to experts, this law will increase the positive contribution of churches and religious organizations in prevention and rehabilitation work with offenders, significantly reduce the number of inmates and help reduce cases of repeated offenses.

Under the law, probation tasks are: preparation of pretrial reports on defendants; supervision of persons sentenced to penalties of deprivation of the right to occupy certain positions or engage in certain activities, community service, corrective labor, persons whose punishment of restraint of liberty or imprisonment for a term replaced sentence of community service or correctional labor, persons discharged from probation, released from punishment pregnant women and women with children under three years old; perform certain types of punishment other than imprisonment; direction sentenced to restriction of liberty to serve his sentence to correctional centers; implementation probation programs for people released from probation; of social and educational work with convicts; taking measures to prepare persons serving a sentence of restraint of liberty or imprisonment for a term, to release; implementation of other measures aimed at correction and prevention of their repeated criminal offenses. "

The law also defines the grounds for the application of probation definitions of "pre-trial probation", "supervisory probation", "prison probation," the peculiarities of probation and juvenile probation subjects and their basic rights and established control over activities of probation.

The Law established that the probation aims to ensure protection of the society by reforming prisoners, preventing them from committing criminal offences and providing the court with the information about the convicted.

Finally received first result after eight year of the creation in Ukraine legal grounds for the implementation of the European model of working with offenders. Adoption of the Law is evidence of humanizing criminal executive of state policy formation and implementation in Ukraine of imprisonment measures of criminal and administrative penalties, which will help to protect the interests of individuals, society and the state. We remind that in the SPS of Ukraine for a long time was working create conditions for probation service in Ukraine. This work is accompanied by supporting national and international experts on probation service in international projects.

The bill was registered under No. 0921.

Information Department of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Secretariat

Parliament of Ukraine has adopted as a basis the draft law on chaplaincy in prisons.

On February 11, 2015 Parliament of Ukraine has adopted as a basis the Draft Law №1154 "On Amendments to Several Legislative Acts of Ukraine (regarding activity of chaplains in the bodies and institutions belonging to the jurisdiction of the State Penitentiary Service of Ukraine) 

The Draft law sets out the chaplaincy institution in the bodies and establishments that belong to the jurisdiction of the State Penitentiary Service of Ukraine to provide "pastoral care". The law proposes to supplement the Penal Code by Article # 128-1 "Organization of pastoral care of prisoners".  It assumes to provide persons taken into custody the right to "pastoral care", laying out a new version of Articles 9 and 12 of the Law "On pre-trial detention". The Draft law also obliges the staff management of agencies and institutions of the State Penitentiary Service of Ukraine to assist the clergy (chaplains) in conducting  measures of pastoral care with the staff, adding the relevant instructions to the Article 23 of the Law "On State Penal Service of Ukraine" .

This legislative initiative was developed in 2013 as a result of joint work of experts of the Parliament, of the State Penitentiary Service of Ukraine and interested denominations that are part of the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations.

The law is a significant step towards providing religious care in prison. However, the Church must defend the absolut protection and non disclosure of Sacrament of Reconciliation. Therefore, there should be a law that prohibits listen to and use Confessions content for any purpose.


The main scientific and expert management acted feedback about the Representative Body of Churches and religious organizations that provide pastoral care in prisons. At the stage of the second reading of the bill, there is a need to expand the authority of the State Penitentiary Service of Ukraine to create the Advisory Body of Churches to coordinate pastoral care of prisoners and the approval procedure of special training of clergy (chaplains). According to experts from the religious environment, without interfaith advisory body Penitentiary Service will be unable to implement international principles adopted on the religious care in the Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners.