“When you did this for the least of my brothers, you did it for me”
Matthew 25:40
There are 16,000 Catholic prisoners in the UK.
Many who have been away from the Church for decades return to the Faith during their time inside.
But there is a problem: while other faith groups are well-funded and supported in their prison ministries, many Catholic chaplains have to use their own resources to provide books and leaflets.
The CTS is at the forefront of addressing this need.
In 2019, we launched the first Catholic Prisoners’ Prayer Book, which we will provide totally free of charge to all Catholics in prison – and to prisoners enquiring about the Catholic Church too.
We’re also working closely with prison chaplains around the country to help ensure they are best placed to help prisoners encounter the healing power of Christ.
Whether that’s through providing Catholic Bibles, teaching resources, or guides on how to pray the rosary, we hope never to refuse a request made on behalf of these marginalised brothers and sisters.
Your gift to the CTS makes sure we can do this. We rely completely on the generosity of the Catholics of the UK to carry out our mission.
We recently received an email from the chaplain of a Young Offenders’ Institute in southern England. He writes:
“In the last year, we have had 21 Baptisms, 21 First Holy Communions and 30 Confirmations.
All of the prisoners who have engaged with their faith have done so using the materials published by CTS.
I have spoken to a number of prisoners about the CTS creating a prayer book for them and they have been so delighted. One of the prisoners told me it will mean a great deal to him.
He said it will mean that in one book he can learn the simple prayers used by all Catholics and at the same time use it for himself in prison to find meaning in life.”
When you support CTS, you are helping win – and keep – souls for Christ.