The Ukrainian Catholic University hosted a roundtable "Ukrainian dimension of penitentiary idea".

On May 19, 2015 a roundtable "Ukrainian dimension  of penitentiary idea"  held in Lviv at the Philosophy and Theology Faculty of UCU. It has been attended by students, pastors, chaplains and volunteers who work with inmates.

The event was organized under the auspices of the Department of Pastoral Theology of the Ukrainian Catholic University in cooperation with the Penitentiary Pastoral Care of the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church.

Dean of the Faculty of Philosophy and Theology, Fr.  Roman Zaviyskyy said: "today Ukraine needs reforms in all spheres of public life and the in judicial and prison system itself, cause they still bear the burden of the former totalitarian regime. We have gathered today at the Catholic University as a community of experts that would help to find a response to the call of Pope Francis for pastors to go and to serve those, who are on the margins of society or indeed have been rejected."

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Vice-Rector of UCU Myroslav Marynovych, dissident, political prisoner, shared his memories of stay in soviet prisons and camps. He noted that some points of being behind bars could be taken as a particular blessing, but it is possible in two cases: if a person is not guilty being punished by unjust sentence. "Then your pure conscience gives you an opportunity to feel free," - said Miroslav Marynovych. Second - when human suffering are the basis for spiritual growth, not just torment. In such moments, according to a dissident, prison can be a place of freedom.

Professor Myroslav Marynovych drew attention to moral issues of the occupation of overseer in prison. Work in this field often changes a person and not all ones have strength to endure this burden of responsibility. At such moments a person can become quite aggressive as to prisoners, as to people in the near surroundings. Therefore, people who work with prisoners should also have some rehabilitation.

About the needs of personnel of the State Penitentiary Service has spoken also Fr. Constantin Panteley, Head of The UGCC Office for Pastoral Care in Penitentiary System of Ukraine. In his report he presented basic international standards for the treatment of prisoners. In particular, he examined a document “Basic Principles: Religious in Prison”, which had been prepared by the International Commission of Catholic Prison Pastoral Care for Twelfth United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice. Salvador de Bahia, Brazil, 12–19 April 2010. These provisions have allowed to formulate changes in legislation of Ukraine for prisoners and prison service personnel. The chaplain told about his experience of pastorship in prison.

Gregory Draus, chief prison chaplain of the Roman Catholic Church in Ukraine, introduced penal legislation and practice of chaplaincy in more than 40 countries and presented how to change prison rules that would facilitate the pastoral ministry.

Miroslav Demkiv, chief specialist in Media relations and public relations department of the State Penitentiary Service of Ukraine in Lviv region, spoke about the objectives and needs of the prison service personnel who are in difficult and dangerous circumstances. The service financed by the state only 40% of the needs.

The theological aspect of pastorship for prisoners submitted Fr. Michael Plotsidem, vice-rector of the Lviv Theological Seminary of the Holy Spirit. "Jesus teaches us that man is not only designed to receive the mercy of God, but do it in relation to the neighbors. The commandment of charity has a special significance, "- said Fr. Michael.

Another experience with prisoners shared Redemptorist Fr. Vitaly Kotyk. He started care for prisoners  since 2001 and visited many cities of Ukraine. As he said, the main thing in communication with the prisoners to be authentic ourselves and not be like them, using their sleng.

Deputy Head of the UGCC Commission "Justice and Peace" Fr. Oleg Luca ntroduced the prison ministry in the light of the papal Apostolic Exhortation "Evangelii Gaudium". "The Pope calls for Christian joy that the Church re-opened the main message of Christ in the world today. Pope Francis offers the document in the Church as a map and a guide for its pastoral mission. This invitation restore the prophetic and positive vision of reality without ignoring the current problems. "

The social study "The Role of the Church in resocialization of prisoners" presented assistant professor of sociology and social work in "Lviv Polytechnic" University Vladimir Proskura. The scientist showed the areas where it is most Church helps prisoners during their stay in prison.

Topicsof rehabilitation of men and women after release devoted in their reports Igor Gnat, head of the charity organization "Regional Center for Social Adaptation" and Redemtorist nгn Oksana Pelech, the  assistant of chaplain of Lviv Archdiocese of the UGCC.

The history of participation of students of the seminary in the programs of work with convicts told brothers Ostap Mykytchyn and Andriy Khrobak.

The round table was held on the occasion of opening the same day the National traveling exhibition of fine and applied art of prisoners "Transfiguration by God's Love" in Lviv Palace of Arts.