Bishops to celebrate Christmas Day Mass for prisoners

Wormwood Scrubbs

Prisoners will hear the good news of the Christmas message when two of the Diocese of Westminster's Auxilliary Bishops celebrate the Christmas Day Mass for those serving time in two of the country's prisons.

Bishop Alan Hopes will celebrate Mass for prisoners at Feltham Young Offenders' Institution and Bishop John Arnold will celebrate Mass for prisoners at Wormwood Scrubs Prison.

Bishop Alan Hopes explains: "It may seem strange to say this, but one place where it is truly a great joy to celebrate Christmas is Feltham Young Offenders' Institution. Some of the young men are hearing the story of the Birth of Jesus Christ for the first time, and their hearts are truly open to hear this good news. For those who know all about Christmas and feel alone and maybe ashamed because of what they have done, to see the Bishop with them re-assures them that they are neither forgotten nor deemed worthless by the wider Church. For my part, I am always very moved by the respect these lads show for the Mass and their love for the Lord. These are the modern day shepherds come to worship the Christ Child."

Source: Archbishops House