Prison chaplain calls for faithful prayer support

By CathNews New Zealand

December 5th, 2025

Michael Coghlan/Wikimedia Commons

As the Jubilee of Prisoners approaches later this month, a New Zealand prison chaplain would like to see a group formed to pray regularly for prisoners.

Sean Ryan, a Catholic chaplain at Whanganui Prison, said faithful prayer support is needed for those involved in this ministry, too.

“In my 12 years as a prison chaplain (and I suspect this may also be true for secondary, tertiary and hospital chaplains), I often feel like we are on our own,” Mr Ryan said.

“We are commissioned and sent from our parishes; we sense God’s call and welcome within those institutions. However, we tend to draw on our own strength in our work rather than on the continued prayerful support of our faith communities.”

Mr Ryan said prayerful support is definitely needed, adding that many prisoners are “desperate for change and, without realising it, are hungry for the Word of God”.

“Many who attend group services desperately want to attend more often than is possible,” he wrote.

“There are as many reasons for attending a service in prison as there are for us attending Mass – to escape the drudgery of prison life, if only for a moment; to have a decent conversation with others over a biscuit and a hot drink. But many are searching for answers to life’s big questions; many simply want to worship God and celebrate their God-given faith.”

Mr Ryan said he is “hoping for a faithful group to pray regularly for them – for their journey of conversion and healing while in prison, their journey after release, for their whānau and for their victims”.

“Life after release needs great attention and support. Change can be very difficult: we all need encouragement. Many who are desperate for change are harshly condemning of themselves and cannot see themselves in any other light. Healing and wholeness are for all. For most, it begins with forgiveness and mercy.

“I am hopeful that a small group will commit themselves to prayer for those lambs carried back to the fold by Jesus himself.”

The Jubilee of Prisoners, which is the final such weekend for the 2025 Jubilee Year, will be observed on December 13-14.

FULL STORY

Seeing Christ in Prison: Voices from Our Chaplains (Tūmanako/Catholic Diocese of Palmerston North)