In July I had the wonderful fortune to be in Sydney for part of the World Youth Day events. The good will and feeling in the city was infectious with literally hundreds of thousands of young people from all over the world gathered and walking the streets. As young people they embodied a sense of hope and idealism for the future. At fun they were loud, vibrant and active. At prayer they were participative and reflective. At all times they seemed respectful of others and there was a sense of security and safety on the streets.

My usual contact with groups of young people is through a maximum security prison where I am a chaplain on Sundays. The young people I meet there have for the most part been on a different journey. However despite the events that bring them into the criminal justice system they are also young people who in their hearts have hopes and dreams for a better future. I have also seen this group of young people at fun and at prayer and the similarities to the young people at World Youth Day are enlightening.

What is it that sees one group of young people gathered in Sydney with the Pope in celebration and prayer and another group locked up in a maximum security prison in Melbourne? Personal choices aside, much of the answer to that lies in the opportunities and advantages that one group has over another. We know for example that the prison population is over represented by people with a mental illness or disability, people of indigenous backgrounds and those who have arrived as refugees. Furthermore in Victoria only 9% of men in adult prison have completed secondary school or a trade, about 60% were not in employment at the time they entered prison and 60%-80% of all detainees arrested test positive to a variety of drugs.

The humanity of the young people at WYD is identical with that of the young people in prison. We know in faith that God loves them all equally. How then do we bridge the gap of life experience and chances? Of course it is a responsibility for the whole community but Centacare can play a pivotal role in providing programs and support for those who face difficulties in life so that they can achieve their potential and live their lives to the full.

Fr Joe Caddy, Chief Executive Officer

As published in the Spring 2008 edition of the Flame Newsletter. [ Click here to download the full newsletter (PDF) ]