Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Mangochi (Agenzia Fides) – "We went to celebrate Easter in the prison of Mangochi, one of Malawi's 26 prisons, which often resemble the houses of the 'dead men who are alive.' They are dead to a society that rejects them collectively, dead because they will never find their way back home and they will often move from one prison to another with the indelible mark of one who 'messed up' and made the mistake of getting caught," Fides is told by Fr. Piergiorgio Gamba, Montfortian missionary working in Malawi for over 30 years.
"The prisoners are separated from family and freedom, forced to do nothing, just count the endless days and risk losing all sense of self-esteem and meaning in their lives," explains Fr. Gamba.
"In Mangochi, the vast majority of the population are Muslims and the Mass ran the risk of being celebrated only for a minority. It could be seen as "a religious invasion" that was accepted because there was the promise of a lunch at least once in the year, recalling the taste of beef and the gift of a few bars of soap to get rid of the itch for a few days," says the missionary. But, those doubts quickly disappeared in front of the reception of prisoners.
Fr. Gamba believes that "telling the story of the risen Jesus in prison quickly becomes a powerful message capable of defeating even the rationality or the incredulity of those who do not believe in the possibility of reform, change, and a conversion of life. The story of Jesus can change lives against all expectations. Criminals who have been judged incorrigible, through a mysterious closeness to a God who suffers and rises, are capable of compassion and of a total life change."
As a concrete demonstration of the promise of Jesus to renew all things, the prisoners heard the testimony of Gezina, the head of the "Half Way House" of Balaka. "I spent many years in prison at Chichiri. I have stolen and have completed my sentence ... life can change if you trust Jesus. Let yourself be loved and this will suffice you," he said.
There were also testimonies from girls and women who left prison just a few months ago and for the next few months, will live at the "Half Way House." "We are here to say: Take courage! They are waiting for you at home, knowing that you can change. Do not betray the hope of your wives and your children. If you trust Jesus today, this is your resurrection." (LM) (Agenzia Fides 7/4/2010)
