The Sunday of the Prodigal Son, which every year falls up to two weeks before the Great Lent, Synod of Bishops of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church has defined as a Day of special pastoral attention and prayer for prisoners themselves and the other victims of crimes. The Gospel Reading on this Sunday (Luke 15:11-32) lays out one of the most important themes of the Lenten season: the history of falling into a sin, realization of one's sinfulness, the road to repentance, and finally reconciliation, each of which is illustrated in the course of the parable. The UGCC Synod invokes to remember in prayers workers of the State Penitentiary Service of Ukraine, chaplains and volunteers.

The Sunday of the Prodigal Son, on February 20, 2011, His Beatitude Lubomyr wrote a pastoral letter to clergy, laity of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church to and to all people of goodwill.

“I would like to draw your attention to the fate of our compatriots who we try not to mention. Even if we do think about them, we do it in a not very benevolent way. I am referring to those men and women who are now serving sentences in prisons, or are being kept in detention confinement cells; in short, I speak of those who are imprisoned for committing a crime or suspected of wrongdoing. It is often said about these people: it is their fault, they have what they deserved.” – makes a preface to his letter the spiritual leader of the UGCC.

According to His Beatitude Lubomyr, there is no country in the world - even among the most developed ones – where no crime is committed. Likewise, there is no person - even among those who want to keep all God’s commandments - who does not sin. “All of us are sinners, even though only a small percentage of us are criminals. Crime is an indisputable fact of our reality. However, we do not always understand and know how to treat it, how to treat criminals or how criminals themselves should consider the state of their souls,” – explicates the Major Archbishop-emeritus. 

“Even if these people are justly convicted because they made a big mistake, stepping on the wrong path, they are facing sufferings. They need our help, in the words of Jesus Christ - our compassion” – expounds His Beatitude Lubomyr. Thus, when we have an opportunity – let us visit them, especially when it is related to our relatives and friends.

His Beatitude also highlights the importance of the prayer: “For all of them, without exception, we should lift up our prayers to God praying that the time when their freedom is limited would become an opportunity for them to reconsider their lives, to feel sorry for their wrongdoings and to make a firm decision not to repeat the same mistakes.”

In addition, the spiritual leader of the UGCC invokes to remember in our prayers and support chaplains, clergy and volunteers “who work with great dedication to provide spiritual support for prisoners, helping them to step on the right path.” Let us not also forget about workers of the Penitentiary system of Ukraine “who perform difficult tasks, because every day they are near of broken human destinies. ”

Source: UGCC