ASIA/SOUTH KOREA - Jubilee with the inmates of the vocational training center, in the name of Saint Joseph and Mary

Suwon (Agenzia Fides) - The Jubilee of 2025 is also celebrated in prisons. The Detention Center for Vocational Training in the city of Hwaseong celebrated the beginning of the Jubilee in recent days with a blessing ceremony and the delivery of two statues installed inside the facility, with the intention of expressing the closeness and attention of the Catholic community, which will continue various initiatives throughout the Jubilee period. The Hwaseong center is a special detention-work institute (one of two existing in Korea) where about 1,000 inmates receive vocational training (specializing in mechanics, welding, carpentry and other crafts), preparing them for economic independence and reintegration into society after their release.
As Fides learns from local sources, thanks to the collection of the faithful of the Catholic parish of Cheolsan, in the diocese of Suwon, and the contribution of an anonymous donor, the male section of the vocational center received a statue of St. Joseph in the guise of a carpenter (in line with the characteristics of a vocational training prison) and of the Holy Family; and, in the female section, a statue of the Virgin with the baby Jesus was brought to express the warmth and love of a mother.
Father Yoo Jeong-su, deputy director of the Pastoral Commission for Prisoners of the diocese of Suwon, explained: "In the bull proclaiming the Jubilee, the Pope encourages everyone, including government authorities, to pay special attention to those who are in prisons. We installed two statues so that prisoners can live their stay in the facility with hope, rather than discouragement or distrust." Father Yoo Jeong-su asked for attention and prayers for the inmates, saying, “How we treat the disadvantaged or marginalized is an indicator of the health of a society. It is the responsibility of the entire society to prevent crime and create conditions for those who have committed wrongdoing to recover, reintegrate, find acceptance and solidarity.”
The inmates, for the most part, realize their mistakes, express regret, and diligently pursue vocational training to become good citizens again after their release,” said Paul Jaesul Kim, director of Hwaseong Prison, who praised the Catholic Church’s initiative and remarked, “I believe the Holy Family of Nazareth will help reawaken the importance of family, and the statue of the Virgin Mary will help evoke noble maternal love.”
The director noted that the event took place without any opposition from staff or inmates of other religious faiths, thanks to the time spent for the preparation by volunteers from the local Church, who explained well the spirit and meaning of these gestures.
A number of Catholic inmates also contributed to the handicraft of the statues, grateful "to be able to apply the skills acquired in prison to a sacred work and thus participate in the Jubilee". All those present at the installation ceremony - priests and faithful, surveillance personnel, representatives of the inmates - expressed the hope that "this gesture will open a new path to healing and hope for the inmates, and will serve to sensitize Korean society to the idea of extending a helping hand to those in prison". (PA) (Agenzia Fides, 11/1/2024)

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