In support of the work of the National Association of Catholic Chaplains and the Catholic Prison Ministries Coalition to develop national prison ministries competencies for the preparation of volunteer and professional laity for this pastoral care work, my office at the USCCB in support of Certification for Ecclesial Ministry worked with representatives from both organizations to produce a series of testimonial videos of a bishop and Catholic lay prison ministers discussing the importance of Catholic presence in care for those in incarceration or affected by it. We also helped produce testimonials about the value of Catholic presence in prisons, jails and detention facilities from formerly incarcerated citizens. The videos are joint productions of the USCCB and CPMC. These videos are being used by the USCCB and both organizations to promote the importance of prison ministries, not only from the standpoint of individuals ministers but as a focus for parish and diocesan-based pastoral care.
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