On 25 November, with the blessings of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians an Agreement on the Regulation of Spiritual Service in the Penitentiary Service of the RA Ministry of Justice was signed in Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.
Hovhannes Manukyan, the RA Minister of Justice and Bishop Arshak Khachaturian, Chancellor of the Catholicosate of All Armenians signed the agreement.
The objective of the spiritual service is to promote the healthy moral and spiritual atmosphere, to support the correction of prisoners, to improve the spiritual and religious needs of the detainees and in cooperation with the local self government bodies and interested civil society organizations contribute to involvement of the ex-prisoners in the public life.
The Minister of Justice attached importance of the role of the Armenian Apostolic Church in the life of prisoners. “Today, each penitentiary has its own holy place. The importance of Spiritual service is undeniable, and facts prove it. Studies show that the prisoners who are in spiritual touch do not return to the prisons again. The state, in the face of the Ministry of Justice, will do everything to ensure solid grounds for this service in the penitentiary Institutions,” Hovhannes Manukyan said and wished tangible results to this important and necessary cooperation.
The RA Ministry of Justice informs.
