Ukrainian Christian Mission called “Spiritual and Charitable Care in Prisons” has released a joint declaration

On May 30-31, 2022, a meeting of the Board of the Ukrainian Christian Mission “Spiritual and Charitable Care in Prisons” took place in the the suburbs of Kyiv at the Rehabilitation Center for exprisoners. The Mission united together in prison ministry 9 major Christian denominations in Ukraine, which continue their ministry allready abot 21 years. The interfaith meeting has been attended by a representative of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, Fr. Constantin Panteley, head of the Office of the Patriarchal Curia of the UGCC on pastoral care in the penitentiary system of Ukraine. The Steering Board of the Mission adopted of a joint declaration, which was made public.

STATEMENT OF THE UKRAINIAN CHRISTIAN MISSION "SPIRITUAL AND CHARITABLE CARE IN PRISON" DURING THE WAR WITH THE RUSSIAN AGGRESSOR

True freedom and peace, the safeguard of all attainment, life and development of our people are possible only in a sovereign state, the protection of which is the sole responsibility of all its citizens. Therefore, the Churches of the Ukrainian Christian Mission “Spiritual and Charitable Care in Prisons” express sincere gratitude and commitment to the state authorities and defenders of Ukraine, all medical professionals and volunteers. To all who are close to the desired lasting and rightful peace, which is a fundamental value for the development and preservation of the common good, freedom and dignity of every human being.

Since the beginning of the military aggression against Ukraine in 2014 and the intervention of the Russian Federation, the Churches of the Mission have maintained unity and developed solidarity in prison ministry, cooperating with public authorities. This manifested itself in the spiritual and humanitarian support of the needs of prisoners and staff, when since the beginning of the full-scale war, the supply system of the penitentiary system of Ukraine has been destroyed. The volunteers of our churches organized the evacuation of citizens from the war zone, provided shelter to internally displaced persons. The Mission continues to cooperate actively with chief administration of the penitentiary system of Ukraine, being a reliable partner in all that provides protection of health and life, human capacity and reintegration with the society of former prisoners.

The situation of prisoners during the war

A particularly unjust offense on the part of the aggressor is that our fellow citizens, who were held in prisons, passed through in particularly difficult circumstances, when the safety of life and human conditions of detention could not be guaranteed. Therefore, the members of the Mission express their recognition and gratitude to the Government, to the Ministry of Justice and to the State Criminal-Executive Service (SCES) of Ukraine, who from the beginning of active hostilities didn't spare any effort for evacuation of inmates to safer places, pursuant to Art. 27 of the Constitution of Ukraine and Art. 7 of the Criminal Executive Code of Ukraine in terms of maintaining personal security. We bow in prayer to God and thanks to the officers of the SCES, who, despite all the risks and anxieties of the war, remained faithful to their oaths, took on all the burdens and dangers of wartime. The peculiarities of hardship, threat to life, violation of international conventions and violations of rights during the war have been experienced by personnel who have been temporarily occupied by Russian invaders since the beginning of hostilities, which ensured humanity's treatment of prisoners, livelihoods, order and control.

Call to power authorities

In view of such hostilities and the inability to respect the rights of inmates in uncontrolled Ukrainian territories, the Mission's Churches call on the Ukrainian authorities to grant amnesty to those categories of convicts that are possible. And for the institution on the territory controlled by the Ukrainian authorities, to develop a mechanism for the release of convicted citizens through the institution of pardon and parole. The Mission's Churches offer networks of rehabilitation centers that can provide care for a significant number of released prisoners. The potential of the Churches can also facilitate mediation in the evacuation of prisoners from captured institutions to controlled areas. We are also ready to evacuate inmates and their personal property from institutions near the line of battle.

We call on the Ukrainian government to provide instructions to facilitate the completion of pastoral care in penitentiary institutions and pre-trial detention through the work of the Public Law Department of the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine on the basis of European and international standards. After all, the conditions of the war showed that both prisoners and staff needed spiritual care as never before. Examples of pastoral care in the Kharkiv region, which was under fire, clearly demonstrate this need.

We turn to Churches and prison chaplains

During the war, the first focus is on helping the army, war-torn individuals and families, IDPs, people who have lost loved ones, housing and property. In this nationwide grief, however, we must not forget, "Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them" (Hebrews 13: 3). As a result of the war, the state is struggling to provide prisoners with everything they need. Many inmates were evacuated from facilities destructed by artillery shelling. They especially need pastoral attention. When joining charitable assistance with things and products, let us not forget that the main vocation of prison service is spiritual revival for a renewed Christian life. We also do not tire of human interaction to meet the spiritual needs of both prisoners and staff of the State Penitentiary Service of Ukraine, as well as members of their families.

We call to prisoners

Through the love of God the Father and the atoning sacrifice of the Only Begotten Son on the Cross, we urge prisoners to seek the Lord as long as they can find Him. Remember the prayers of the victims in your prayers. Maintain peace, patient and active compassion for each other and respect for staff working in difficult situations. "The obedient will see, and will rejoice, but whoever seeks God, may your heart be alive, for the Lord listens to the poor, and He is not proud of His prisoners!" (Psalm 68: 32-33).

During last pandemic year's, many of you had no experience of religious care, so now in this difficult time, renew your spirit through conversion to the Lord. (Ephesians 4:22) Seek spiritual support from prison chaplains directly or through the administration. Seek pastoral care and bring friends to the knowledge of God, maintain love for those of other faiths. And most of all, maintain Christian solidarity. By doing so, you will show the freedom of God's children who walk in the light. We pray for you that the time of your return, which your loved ones are waiting for, is approaching. We pray that the Lord will accept your sufferings as a penance saved for you and a voluntary sacrifice of compassion for Christ, who gave himself for the sake of our eternal life.

The Secretary of the Board of the Ukrainian Christian Mission "Spiritual and Charitable Care in Prisons" Fr. Constantin Panteley.