Scottish Catholic Observer

Archbishop Philip Tartaglia of Glasgow yesterday visited Barlinnie prison and urged Christians inmates there to embrace Jesus and repent.

Archbishop Tartaglia made the trip yesterday ahead of Scottish Prisoners Week, which celebrates the work done by prison chaplains and highlights the needs of former inmates trying to re enter society..

During a celebration of Mass in the prison chapel, the archbishop urged the imprisoned men to seek freedom in the work of God.

“Acknowledging our sin and turning to God to ask for forgiveness is the first step towards true freedom,” he said. “And the Good News is that God does not just forgive us, but lifts us up, makes us new, restores our dignity so that we can live a different kind of life, and indeed want to live a different kind of life because we sense that those former ways are no longer for us.”

The archbishop also advised Catholic prisoners to make penance early and often.

“So I advise you to turn to God and ask for help and healing and freedom,” he said. “If you are a Catholic, I strongly recommend the regular use of the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation for this sacrament reconciles us both to God and to our fellow human beings.”

The archbishop also praised the work of prison staff saying ‘What I have seen here this morning suggests strongly that, as well as security and discipline, concern and care for the well-being of prisoners is a guiding principle of how this facility is run’.

Cardinal Keith O’Brien is expected to attend the national launch service for Prisoners Week at 6.30pm on Monday November 19 in Dunblane Cathedral. Prior to the service, the cardinal is scheduled to visit to Cornton Vale Prison, Stirling.

—To find our more, visit http://www.prisonersweekscotland.org.uk/