Ecumenical chapel opens in prison

Behind the bars the Word of God is still preached. Convicted criminals at prison turn to God for help and freedom. Is it possible to change one's life 'behind the bars'? Can the grace of God wipe away the sins of the inmates as well?

The new prison building at Tiszalök, North-East Hungary was opened on the 28th of March 2008. The most recent extension of the building is an ecumenical chapel that was opened on 11th December the same year.

The ceremony began at the main hall dedicated to cultural events where the church representatives met mission organizations that carry out their work at the prison, guests and the inmates of the prison who all were together for an opening event. Sándor Tikász, the head of the prison the said that it was a day of great joy as they had been able to open an area for the prisoners that would be for their benefit. Then the guest listened to the singing and testimonies of the inmates.

Ottó Pecsuk, General Secretary of the Hungarian Bible Society spoke about the Bible and handed over a copy of the Book of Books to the representative of the prison community. He stated that the main aim of the Year of the Bible is to give the Bible to people who would then open it and read it. We often hear stories about Bibles at prison used as cigarette paper. Is it the worst thing that could happen to the Bible? According to Ottó Pecsuk the Bibles outside the prison, that are left unread and unused on the bookshelves for years share a similar fate with the Bible used as cigarette paper. If just one or two Bible out of ten is read and leads someone to faith in the prison, it is already proven that the Hungarian Bible Society needs to take Bibles into the prisons.