New Delhi: Two Catholic prelates residing in the Indian capital took turns to bring the Easter message of hope and mercy to the inmates of South Asia’s largest prison complex.
Archbishop Kuriakose Bharanikulangara of Faridabad Syro-Malabar diocese on March 22 washed the feet of 12 prisoners of jail number 4 in the Tihar Jail complex situated in western Delhi. They included two Hindus and a few foreign nationals. The ritual was part of a solemn Mass the archbishop offered in the jail premises.
Around 100 prisoners and Jail Superintendent Rajpal Singh attended the services along with 10 volunteers and 15 guests of the Prison Ministry of India.
A day later, on March 23, Archbishop Anil Couto of Delhi Latin archdiocese conducted similar programs in jail number 3.
Archbishop Bharanikulangara told Matters India that the services were part of the Church’s Year Mercy observation and a response to Pope Francis’ call to reach those on the periphery. “I told them that around the Mass table there are no criminals or prisoners, but only children of merciful God,” the archbishop added.
For the Mass, he had put on the colorful and royal vestments of the Syro-Malabar Church along with the bishop’s miter and staff.
The prisoners” said they could see the great gesture of Christ’s love when we removed Mass vestments and all the paraphernalia to kneel down to wash their feet.”
Sr Archangel, PMI coordinator for Delhi, too said the prisoners “were overwhelmed” when the Catholic religious leaders washed their feet. The gesture helped communicate the Christian message of service to the largely Hindu gathering, added the nun, a member of Sisters of the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
The Church conducts the ritual of Washing of the Feet on Holy Thursday, which falls on March 24 this year. The ritual commemorates Jesus washing the feet of his 12 disciples during the Last Supper setting an example of humility and service.
Sister Archangel said they decided to hold the Holy Thursday services earlier in view of Holi, the festival of colors, that falls on March 24.
Sister Archangel, who joined the prison ministry 23 years ago, said more than 14,000 prisoners live in the ten jails of Tihar. Nine jails are in the main complex in Tihar village while the tenth is at Rohini, 18 km north. The prisoners include 650 women who stay in jail number 6. A total of 250 Christians of different denominations are also in these jails, she added.
The prison ministry has formed prayer groups in jails that organize weekly Bible studies and prayer fellowships. Two Hindus whose feet were washed on March 22 were members of the prayer group. The nun said no women could be included for the feet washing as prison rules forbid mixing inmates of different jails.
She said the prayer group members observe fast and abstinence during lent starting from Ash Wednesday, which was on February 10.
The Tihar prison is styled as a correctional institution. Its main objective is to prepare the inmates to become useful and productive members of society by providing them with useful skills, education, and respect for the law. It also aims to improve the inmates’ self-esteem and strengthen their desire to improve.