A Short History of IPCA
Prison chaplains are ordained ministers and deacons, or sometimes lay people, accredited whenever possible both by their churches and their national states to work on behalf of the spiritual well being of people in prison. The interpretation of their prison work in terms of its understanding, opportunities and status is worked out practically through a great variety of cultural contexts. The linking up of people in these different situations is the heart beat for IPCA
The inauguration of IPCA took place from 21 to 25 August in 1985. At a meeting of 59 prison chaplains from 20 countries, organised at the Ecumenical Institute at Bossey, Switzerland, the association was founded as a result of a declaration made on 25th August. This meeting emerged from the vision and hard work of Pekka Viirre, Executive Secretary of the Pastoral Care of Offenders in the Lutheran Church in Finland, assisted by the Lutheran World Federation in Geneva. Official invitation was issued by The World Council of Churches. There were memorable worship sessions as well as several formal addresses, together with open-air discussions among participants who sat outside in groups, basking in the glorious summer sunshine beside Lake Geneva. So powerful was the atmosphere at this meeting that people have often since spoken of 'the Spirit of Bossey'. When people have used this phrase they have referred to a strong feeling of belonging together in a spiritual community - a feeling of shared mission emerging from a common ground level experience overcoming barriers of nationality and denomination.
The First IPCA Declaration
The declaration from that meeting stated that the association should promote the work of Christian prison chaplains. The point was also made that the association should be non-political and non-profit making. It placed the development of its affairs in the hands of four European chaplains who comprised the first International Steering Committee. The chairman for the first five years was Pastor Peter Rassow, who at that time co-coordinated work among Protestant prison chaplains in West Germany.
It was also envisaged at that time that an International Steering Committee be or would be developed in every country by one chaplain who would hold a list of others interested in receiving details about international activities. These representatives were to be encouraged to enter into correspondence about improving theological and professional awareness about the work. It was also envisaged at that time that a co-coordinating International Steering Committee be established to communicate among autonomous national groups. This idea later developed into the planning of regional groups. It was also intended that the association should promote individual professional exchanges on a regional or international basis and organise consultations.
IPCA and the United Nations
The first consultation in Geneva was in part influenced by the ideals of the United Nations. The first meeting of IPCA had been convened because several participants were traveling at that time to the Seventh UN Quinquennial Congress on the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders to be held two weeks later in Milan. Participants at Bossey were well aware that the United Nations upheld the importance of the work of prison chaplains in the Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners. As a result of this there was discussion about whether the association should seek non-Government organisation (NGO) status. Small efforts were made at that vast meeting in Milan to put around briefing papers about the existence of IPCA.
Two important results came from attendance at that UN meeting. First, informal contacts were made with Monsignor Cesare Curioni who was the representative of the Holy See at that Congress. He was also the President of the then International Commission of Chaplains General of Prisons, later renamed the International Commission of Catholic Prison Pastoral Care (ICCPPC). His wish that his organisation should associate with IPCA materialised two years later at a meeting in Helsinki. Secondly, the passing around of literature in Milan about IPCA raised questions about the extent to which IPCA should be focusing on the needs of prisoners rather than the needs of prison chaplains. Issues in relation to this question continue to generate interesting discussions.
Second and Third IPCA Conferences
A Second International Conference was held in Bossey in 1990. About one hundred people attended this meeting and the representation was more widely spread from around the world. A new Steering Committee of ten people was established with a more worldwide membership than the first committee. The chairman was again Peter Rassow. This committee met every year mainly in Europe to plan a third conference which was held in Ottawa in 1995. This conference was attended by three hundred people and resulted in the election of a new international committee under the chairmanship of Dr. Pierre Allard, then Director of Chaplaincy in the Correctional Service of Canada, to last until 2000. It again met every year in locations around the world, working towards the Fourth Conference to be held in South Africa in August 2000.
IPCA and Internationalism
The establishing of the International Prison Chaplains' Association reflects the contemporary development of internationalism. Professional people in all spheres have realised that today's means of travel and channels of communication facilitate worldwide contacts. Sharing ideals is common in many worldwide secular organisations because it leads to wider professional understanding, to mutual support, to standardising workplace ideals, to creating a forum for publicising concerns and to the generating of enthusiasm for work in the face of difficult situations.
IPCA and Ecumenism
All this ties in with the fact that in church circles there has also been a long tradition of worldwide links. For centuries individual denominations have spread around the world as part of missionary outreach. In recent years there has been a greater emphasis everywhere on ecumenical activity - particularly in areas of work, like prison ministry, in which demonstrations of social concern do not compromise traditions of dogma. Willingness to work ecumenically has always been the hallmark of IPCA.
Election of Steering Committees
The election of a Steering Committee has been an important feature of all the worldwide conferences. It has traditionally been felt that the committee should have a broad membership of Christian denominations and representation from regions of the world. In 1995 the people elected to the committee were from North America, South America with the Caribbean, Europe, Africa and Asia. It was also considered important to have at least two women members. English has been the primary working language. Members should ideally be serving prison chaplains. The availability of funds to bring people to meetings has also been an issue. There has also been a need for some continuity in membership from previous committees to help shape the current business. These are some of the issues which the whole conference has had to consider at the worldwide meeting. It is a challenge for several hundred people meeting together for a short time to assess these needs and make appropriate decisions.
IPCA and Regional Development
It was always envisaged that the International Prison Chaplains' Association should have regional organisations. This has happened in Europe where meetings have been held in Helsinki (1988), Strasbourg (1992), Rugby (1994) and Ystad (1997). Smaller specialised meetings have also been organised. The association has a network in Oceania and a conference was held in Brisbane in 1996. Plans are in hand in the other regions.
IPCA, Churches and Benefactors
The development of IPCA would not have been possible without financial support from several churches. Worldwide conferences and Steering Committee meetings are costly in organisation. Initial funding came from The Lutheran World Federation. A subsequent generous and continuous supporter has been the Evangelical Church of Germany (EDK). The Canadian Correctional Service has also been a backbone in keeping the association afloat. Many other people and fundholders have given money to sustain the vision and reality of mutual support that has been the cornerstone of IPCA.
IPCA and Prison Fellowship
In recent years IPCA has had close connection with Prison Fellowship International based in Washington. This organisation is a focal point for local Prison Fellowship groups in many countries around the world. Workers for Prison Fellowship have links with chaplains. The link between IPCA and Prison Fellowship is one of amicable and constructive co-operation rather than formal contact.
IPCA and the International Commission of Catholic Prison Pastoral Care
Alongside IPCA there is the International Commission of Catholic Prison Pastoral Care (ICCPPC) which represents Roman Catholic prison pastoral care workers around the world. Following the initiative shown by Cesare Curioni in Helsinki in 1988 a link has been established between IPCA and ICCPPC. An official representative of ICCPPC is on the Steering Committee of IPCA.
IPCA differs in structure in that its conferences are open to all chaplains and they have been attended by many Roman Catholics. IPCA is a movement with which any Christian prison chaplain at grass roots level can be associated. It is not possible to enroll as a member. The organising of large worldwide and regional conferences has been its primary objective. The networking that follows from these meetings is largely informal.
Challenges for the Future
One challenge to be faced by the association lies in finding where chaplains are because of the physical nature of the workplace. Prisons are confined communities, often closely protected by national judicial regulations. They are regarded as unpleasant places to be avoided by decent people. Chaplains are rarely high-profile and seldom viewed as central to the purpose of the institution. They are not easily traceable. Many work in dangerous situations. Chaplains can feel isolated. It is, therefore, not always easy for the association to make contact with them. When some of these isolated chaplains have been put in touch with each other through the agency of the association the benefits have been deeply rewarding.
Another challenge for the future of IPCA lies in finding ways in which the association can be helpful to the mass of chaplains who are unable to attend meetings. In the past there have been occasional newsletters and the first edition of the 'International Directory of Prison Chaplains' was published in 1992. It might also be helpful if the association could take on the circulating of theological and pastoral papers relevant to the work.
The Rewards and Privileges of Connecting with IPCA
The rewards of these link-ups can be visibly seen in the IPCA office in Ottawa which is managed by the Executive Director Judy Allard. Such a focal point exists for the receiving and dispatch of hundreds of letters communicating with chaplains around the world. Many chaplains have received assistance and training through this office. As one chaplain wrote: 'Before I received your letter I was about to give up - I have not even been paid for six months'. Another recently shared: 'Your Christmas message was good, encouraging and inspiring. I received the Christmas mail on the 23rd. On the 24th December, I traveled to the Maximum Prison. On the following day 25th, I shared the same message to 226 inmates who are on death sentence. They too felt encouraged and comforted. They demanded for more visits...'.
It is with a great sense of enthusiasm and humility that we trust God will continue to use IPCA in prisons everywhere.
The Reverend Alan R. Duce
England