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Christ's Merciful Gaze: Catholic Prison Ministry and the Transformation of Kenya's Correctional Communities
Subject area: Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities · Area of research: Religious Studies
Abstract
This paper examines Catholic prison ministry within Kenya's correctional facilities through the lens of Catholic social teaching, sacramental theology, and the Church's preferential option for the poor and marginalized. Drawing upon papal encyclicals, conciliar documents, and the rich tradition of Catholic prison chaplaincy, this study explores how Christ's merciful gaze, mediated through the Church's sacramental life and pastoral presence, transforms both individuals and correctional communities. The research demonstrates that Catholic prison ministry, grounded in the theology of human dignity and divine mercy, creates encounters with Christ that restore hope, facilitate authentic conversion, and strengthen the bonds of Christian community. The findings offer theological insights for diocesan pastoral planning while providing practical recommendations for bishops, parish communities, and correctional institutions committed to Catholic approaches to restorative justice in the Kenyan context.
References
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[5] Francis. (2015). Misericordiae vultus. Vatican City: Libreria Editrice Vaticana.
[6] Francis. (2015, September 27). Address at Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility. Philadelphia, PA.
[7] Institute of Economic Affairs Kenya. (2024, January 29). Reoffending in Kenya's prisons. IEA Analysis.
[8] John Paul II. (1980). Dives in misericordia. Vatican City: Libreria Editrice Vaticana.
[9] John Paul II. (1995). Ecclesia in Africa. Vatican City: Libreria Editrice Vaticana.
[10] Kasper, W. (2014). Mercy: The essence of the Gospel and the key to Christian life. New York: Paulist Press.
[11] Kenya National Bureau of Statistics. (2025, August 16). Persons committed to prisons in Kenya. The Star.
[12] Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace. (2004). Compendium of the social doctrine of the Church. Vatican City: Libreria Editrice Vaticana.
[13] Second Vatican Council. (1965). Gaudium et spes. Vatican City: Libreria Editrice Vaticana.
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How to cite this paper
@article{1710386,
author = {Leonard Juma Wafula , Margaret Nanjala Matisi},
title = {Christ's Merciful Gaze: Catholic Prison Ministry and the Transformation of Kenya's Correctional Communities},
journal = {Iconic Research And Engineering Journals},
year = {2025},
volume = {9},
number = {3},
pages = {77-81},
issn = {2456-8880},
url = {https://www.irejournals.com/formatedpaper/1710386.pdf},
abstract = {This paper examines Catholic prison ministry within Kenya's correctional facilities through the lens of Catholic social teaching, sacramental theology, and the Church's preferential option for the poor and marginalized. Drawing upon papal encyclicals, conciliar documents, and the rich tradition of Catholic prison chaplaincy, this study explores how Christ's merciful gaze, mediated through the Church's sacramental life and pastoral presence, transforms both individuals and correctional communities. The research demonstrates that Catholic prison ministry, grounded in the theology of human dignity and divine mercy, creates encounters with Christ that restore hope, facilitate authentic conversion, and strengthen the bonds of Christian community. The findings offer theological insights for diocesan pastoral planning while providing practical recommendations for bishops, parish communities, and correctional institutions committed to Catholic approaches to restorative justice in the Kenyan context.},
month = {September},
}