by Christiana Gokyo, Jos
Inmates at the Maximum Security of Correctional Custodial Center (MSCC), Jos, have been told that, they are called to transform, mould, adjust, and live good and religious lives – accordingly, “to be like Christ,” who is the light for humanity.
The Catholic Archbishop of the Jos, Most Rev. Dr. Matthew Ishaya Audu, was speaking at the Annual Christmas Mass celebration for the Prison Inmates at the Jos Correctional Custodial Center on Christmas Day.
He said, “Christ is the light of the world. We are waiting for hope for the blessings, which will come with the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, and he is the one that lights up the darkness around us, symbolizing the beginning of new life and hope.”
He was represented by Rev. Fr. Polycap Gana, who charged them to mould their lives, make sacrifices for one another and to know that they are as a family there, and they should accept one another “because Christ didn’t come for Christians but for humanity.
So, our common humanity – we must look deeply inward; if there is love, there will be everything in abundance.”
According to him, the authority will not make them happy; it’s only them, who can make themselves happy, adding that, whatever they had made up their minds now to do, they should do it now and find a way of sustaining it.
“We are to give hope and encouragement to the world, a hope that is founded in God and his mercy and love. We need not to be afraid, and let’s go and show love, kindness, forgiveness, encouragement to one another, because material things will not help us,” he stated.
Archbishop Audu stated that, “That is the best gift to give Baby Jesus,” and urged them to be strong with Christ on their side sacrifices, and encourage them to identify with prayers, saying, “You are in prison and we are outside; but we are not better than you people, and this trying moment will pass one day.”
The Archbishop called on government to provide the inmates with skills acquisition so that when they are out of here, they can be useful, and called on Church to join hands with government “because Nigeria is for all of us.”
“No matter the situation, we must celebrate Christmas. No matter what we are passing through, the light is shining on us; we have been stuck in a situation that we cannot go out.
“Some of us have hoped that we will not celebrate Christmas here; what you have hoped for this year, God has his way and there is the tendency we must live to the word of the Prophet.
“We cannot feel joy and peace, because why should I be here, which I expect people to come and visit us but are not coming? We are stuck in situations where there is no solution in sight.
“We are trapped here; we are living in darkness and in the shadow of death. Our hearts are heavy and deep within us; we feel sad and disheartened, we cannot feel the joy and peace of Christmas and what is there to celebrate,” the Archbishop stated.
Speaking also, the Chairman of MSCC appreciated the Archbishop for the rice that always comes from the Archbishop’s House, because there are some inmates, whose families don’t visit them. The rice and drinks always put a smile on their faces, not only a smile, but gives them a sense of belonging.
He assured the Archbishop that they will never stop appreciating his efforts and encouragement and gesture towards them, in terms of inmates’ physical and spiritual development, which has been wonderful.
The annual Mass on Christmas Day for the inmates at Catholic Chaplaincy of Maximum Security Correctional Custodial Center Jos is being organized by the JDPC of the Catholic Archdiocese of Jos.