Success Story: 500 Bibles for a Prison Apostolate in Peru

As in many other parts of the world, in Latin America the prisons are hopelessly overfilled and conditions within them are extremely hard.

The prison in Callao, Peru, was designed for 1,500 prisoners but currently holds 5,600. For these prisoners, the Catholic prison outreach is a real blessing. Twice a week, those who wish to participate come together for a joint Lectio Divina, while Holy Mass is celebrated every week for a congregation of up to 800 prisoners. There are also Holy Masses for the major feasts of the Church year.

Bishop José Luis del Palacio Peréz-Medel has himself frequently visited the prison. When he traveled to Rome to meet Pope Francis in 2018, he brought with him a letter from the prisoners. The Pope answered the letter personally and encouraged them all, despite all past failures and weaknesses, to believe and trust in the help and Mercy of Christ.

A vital and indispensable part of this outreach, which helps those concerned to a better and deeper knowledge of God‘s love and mercy, is the reading of Holy Scripture. Often the inmates and their families are too poor to afford a Bible, but already in 2017, thanks to the help of ACN’s donors, 500 Bibles were distributed among them. 

Now, again thanks to the generosity of our benefactors, we can contribute another $5,600, so that 500 more copies of the sacred scriptures can be made available for the prison outreach program. 

For all the inmates, this has been a great joy and consolation, and the bishop has written to us to say that his priests working in the prison ministry are also delighted. The Bibles are used for the sessions of Lectio Divina and for catechetical instruction of those preparing for baptism. 

Our heartfelt thanks to all who have helped bring the Word of God to prisoners in Peru!

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Code: 234-00-89