A Reflection on Participating in the International Prison Chaplains’ Association 2005 Conference IPCA V ¡ No estamos solos! – We are not alone!
Jodi McDonough and Marty Maltby

From August 19 - 24, 2005, 326 prison chaplains from 70 countries around the world gathered in Cornwall, Ontario for a memorable and life-changing experience. This special occasion was none other than the International Prison Chaplains’ Association’s (IPCA) fifth international conference - “¡ No Estamos Solos! – We Are Not Alone”.

Upon entering the site of the conference, participants could not help but be affected by the overwhelming sense of warmth, compassion, and international camaraderie that filled the air…genuine smiles, big hugs and warm handshakes abounded, from early morning until nightfall. Anywhere you turned throughout the 5 days, your eyes and ears couldn’t help but be dazzled by the flurry of colors and dialects that permeated the atmosphere. Whether from the Congo, Belgium, Nepal or Southern Ontario, IPCA’s commitment to “unite, encourage and equip prison chaplains from around the world” worked magic in making everyone feel right at home.

A true testament to the spirit of collaboration and the power of teamwork is the generosity and goodwill with which individuals and organizations around the globe contributed to the conference – such kindness greatly contributed to IPCA V’s ability to meet and largely exceed participants’ expectations. Thanks to the countless contributions and efforts of correctional agencies, prison populations, voluntary organizations, volunteers, churches and religious orders, businesses, and citizens around the world, prison chaplains were able to return to their home countries with the increased knowledge and tools needed to continue to provide meaningful support and counsel to the incarcerated everywhere. In addition, the donation of goods, including eyeglasses, hygiene products and clothing allowed chaplains to return with much to share with inmates in order to improve living conditions inside the walls. It is our hope that this type of exchange will extend well beyond the conference and that the developed world will continue to provide support and assistance to chaplains in the developing world.


IPCA was founded in 1985 in Bossey, Switzerland and has organized an international conference every 5 years since then. The last one was held in Kroonstad, South Africa, in August 2000. While the 2000 conference was a great success, the movement of IPCA has continued to gain momentum since that time. IPCA worldwide is now represented in the 6 regions of the world; has contact with prison chaplains from all over the globe; has trained chaplains in South Africa and India; and has brought prison chaplains even closer together by continuing to increase opportunities for connectedness. Despite these great strides, IPCA V’s organizing committee still encountered several obstacles in the planning stages of the conference. Among such difficulties was the issue around obtaining travel visas for conference participants…team members burned the midnight oil on many a night to ensure travel arrangements and necessary permits were in order for conference delegates.


Nonetheless, the events and addresses that filled the opening night of IPCA V truly brought to light the unity among the faith community and the common goals and purpose for which prison chaplains engage in their work. The evening kicked off with CSC’s own Chin Yeung, who welcomed delegates with a touching rendition of Canada’s national anthem. Images of different countries around the globe then lit up two giant screens, where delegates were asked to “please stand up, wave, and make themselves known” when their country appeared.


Shortly thereafter, Reverend Pierre Allard welcomed delegates and introduced the evening’s keynote speaker, Sister Helen Préjean, C.S.J. Author of Dead Man Walking and a native of Louisiana, Sister Préjean is internationally renowned for her tireless work against the death penalty, including sparking national dialogue on the issue and shaping the Catholic Church’s newly vigorous opposition to state executions. Other notable speakers at the conference included Dr. José Luis Pérez Guadalupe representing Latin America and the Spanish-speaking Caribbean, and Reverend Dr. Hamilton Mvume Dandala, President of the South African Council of Churches, amongst others.


Throughout the conference, addresses from keynote speakers were interspersed with a variety of workshops and the seemingly endless array of choices ensured that there was ‘something for everyone’. Covering everything from: ex-prisoners’ contributions to crime prevention to mental health hospitals in Germany, restorative justice for families of prisoners to the provision of ministry to indigenous people in prison, and protecting the human rights of prisoners to the spiritual care of female prisoners affected by HIV/Aids – participants were free to pursue workshops that piqued their curiosity and to share their experiences and understanding of the issues with workshop givers, both from their personal point of view as well as their home country’s political positioning on the issues.


The conference wound down with a formal banquet which delegates were invited to attend in traditional dress. Elections were also held on that day, and the Conference General Forum elected Birgitta Winberg of Sweden as the new IPCA President.


On behalf of conference participants, thank you Pierre for the leadership and charisma you have brought to IPCA. Like others, we are comforted in knowing that you will continue to bring that leadership and charisma with you, everywhere you go. You and your team truly made IPCA V a wonderful, unforgettable and blessed event!