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About RCPM
Many are becoming more aware of the existence of prison volunteers through friends, media and the Yellow Ribbon project. But mention the Roman Catholic Prison Ministry (RCPM), still draws curious responses from many Catholics include: What’s that? Is there one? What do you do? Which Parish are you from? It beckons therefore to inform our community of our mission, what do we do, who we are and where we are heading.
Back in 1977, the then Archbishop, His Grace Gregory Yong commissioned Fathers Brian Doro, CSsR (an Australian priest now living in Perth), PJ O’Neill, CSsR (deceased) and Sister Gerard Fernandez, RGS to start RCPM, to “respond without fear and with quiet sacrifice to the scriptural mandate that” …when I was in prison and you visited me..” Matt 25:36. The group expanded with more Reverend Fathers, Religious and Seminarians of different Orders and Parishes volunteering to provide the chaplaincy.
The Chaplains are supported by a number of lay people who came forward on their own accord to sign up as prisons volunteers under the RCPM banner. They comprise both men and women from different Catholic Parishes, and a handful from the Anglican and Christian Churches. Many of whom hold full-time jobs and are active also in their Parishes whilst others have committed themselves full-time to this ministry.
The result of which is that RCPM became a Catholic Archdiocesan Ministry with no parish-based group.
All Chaplains and volunteers are issued with prison passes issued by the Singapore Prisons Service. Every week RCPM covers 13 prison institutions conducting 30 counseling sessions to about 300 inmates of different categories, both men & women. Each session can last for up to 2 hours at a stretch.
After 30 years the time has come for renewal at RCPM. In his letters of appointment to the 7-member Pro Tem Executive Committee with Fr. Paul Pang, CSsR as the Spiritual Director, the incumbent Archbishop, His Grace Nicholas Chia shared his vision of an institutionalized RCPM that will allow for more quality time be spent on ministering to those who are, and have been incarcerated, and their affected families, and that the number of chaplains, volunteers and disciples can grow.
The appointed Pro Tem Executive Committee for 2009 comprises:
| Spiritual Director |
: | Rev Fr. Paul Pang, CSsR |
| Acting Chairman |
: | Kevin Yap |
| Prison Liaison & Volunteers Resources |
: | Melvyn Sum |
| Treasurer |
: | Charles Chua |
| Aftercare & Outreach | : | Matthew Tay |
| Resource & Program | : | Edward Choo |
| Practice & Compliance | : | Brian Campos |
| Aftercare, Office & Logistics | : | Joselyn Chan |
The team believes that for renewal to happen, RCPM must first have good leadership who is open and response effectively to the needs for more leaders (chaplains) and volunteers. The ministry will then continue to live and grow. The new team took up this appointment knowing that the previous EXCO and the Archdiocese Leaders expressly share the same belief.
Singapore Prison Service recognises the important role that religion can play in the successful rehabilitation of inmates, and has engaged religious groups of the various faiths to provide religious programmes for the inmates. RCPM is one of such group in support of the rehabilitation and reintegration of inmates back to society.
Our Mission
To be the compassion of our heavenly Father for our brothers and sisters in Christ: “I was in prison and you visited me”. Mt 25:36
Our Core Values
The Roman Catholic Prison Ministry works in an environment which is the primarily focused on discipline and security. To this environment, RCPM brings Love, Obedience and Humility as three of our core values.
In Care:
1) Eucharistic Celebration / Communion Service;
2) Scriptures Sharing;
3) Faith Exploration, Development & Formation;
4) Administering the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick & Condemned;
5) Intercessory Prayer; Inner Healing; & Counseling.
Out Care:
Pastoral Assistance & Concierge
1) Ex-Offenders
2) Impacted Families