Serving the Imprisoned

r eaching Out

to those ‘inside’

story & photos by J.D. Benning

It’s 4:45 a.m.

The alarm sounds, and he’s awake. He quickly puts on his black slacks and white clerical shirt with its distinctive Roman collar.

The abbey grounds are quiet, and most of the world around him is still fast asleep. He quietly makes his way out the back door of the monastery, and he’s on the road. “It’s exciting,” he says. “It’s one thing that I never thought I’d want to do, but now that I’m doing it, I always look forward to it.” In the passenger seat, the questions are rolling through my head a mile-a-minute: What was going through your head when you first started? Do you get nervous? Are you ever frightened?

But, behind the wheel, he’s as cool as the morning dew – and he’s on his way to prison. As we enter the security area he is greeted with an enthusiastic “Hello!” or “How ya doin’ Father?” from the prison staff.

After they check our bags and we pass through the metal detector it’s through one security door, and another, and another, and another; like passing through the looking glass we are led into a new world. As you enter the prison yard, the walls are so tall that all you can see is sky; a sort of fish bowl feeling of captivity has started to sink in. Razor-wire rests atop the fences and walls that separate each area – an intimidating reminder of what happens to anyone who flirts with breaking the rule of law. Any possibility of empathy has vanished from my own mind; prison is an intimidating place to visit and I’m not sure that I could ever understand what these men are experiencing. But, as we turn the corner and enter the room that has been prepared for Mass, we are greeted with smiles. Suddenly the stressful haze that clouded our walk to this point has been lifted and one thing is abundantly clear: these men love this priest. Not just because he is there to offer Mass for them, but simply how he treats them, “We’re lucky to have Fr. Roderic, he’s a great man,” one inmate said, “he treats us with respect, just like he would anybody else.” And that’s true – he just wants them to know that he cares, “We’re all children of God, all pilgrims on a journey, you know? My task is to reach out with the love of Christ – to let them know that I care about them, that I want to listen to them and provide counsel...along with the sacraments.”

One thing is for sure, Fr. Roderic has a very warm, pastoral way about him; from his gentle voice and mannerisms to his wit, he is endearing to everyone he engages. Those men who find themselves incarcerated, they are often looking for a ray of hope. “Fr. Roderic brings Jesus to us, teaches us, helps us to be better people...we can’t ask for much more than that.”

Fr. Roderic classifies the prison culture as one of anger and grieving, but with the right environment he is hopeful change can occur, “I want to help create a culture of acceptance through conversion; coming to these men and sharing our Benedictine values, I just want to make a lasting impact. Many times they get back out into the world, and they have a hard time adapting, I hope that my work will help them while they’re in prison and after they’re released.” When he is visiting the various detention facilities that he is assigned to, Fr. Roderic feels that he is engaged in grassroots ministry, that he has been blessed with a great opportunity to share the love of Christ with the incarcerated. Often they’ve had little exposure to scripture or haven’t had much of a faith life – this leads to a lot of questions, but also a lot of discussions – how can they apply the word of God and the Sacraments to their own lives? Though

“They might not know it, but I get a lot more from them than they get from me...”

the inmates are not permitted to evangelize themselves, one man went from being somewhat hostile to being a great help to Fr. Roderic, inviting his fellow inmates to join him for Mass, offering them counsel, and growing in his own faith. We’re reminded, “there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance.”

A veteran himself, he feels a special kinship with the men in the two disciplinary barracks he serves at Fort Leavenworth. “Their saying is ‘Our Mission is Your Future’ and I really believe that’s my mission. A lot of these guys are good men who made a bad decision, and I just hope I can lift their spirits. I never want to know what they’ve done, I just want to share the gift of mercy with them...they might not know it, but I get a lot more from them than they get from me...seeing growth is the most satisfying thing.” Fr. Roderic pointed out that, when it comes to priests, the U.S. Army is woefully understaffed, having only 96 serving when over 350 are needed. Other priests and deacons in the area, like Fr. Bill McAvoy and Deacons John Stanley and Guy Berry, serve the prisoners throughout the diocese, but still more help is needed going forward. “It’s a work of mercy and I consider myself lucky to do it; when I see someone make a 180 degree turn, it’s an inspiration.”

When we return to the Abbey at the end of the day, I tell him that I’ve got a lot of respect for him doing all of this, “I’m not sure I’d be up to going to prison all the time.” And with a wry smile, Fr. Roderic turns to me and says, “I don’t mind going to prison, they let me out every time.” Look for more on the Abbey’s Prison Ministry in the next issue of Kansas Monks