Cardinal Charles Maung Bo of Yangon, Pope Francis’ personal representative to the International Eucharistic Congress in the Philippines, told a group of prisoners known as the “dancing inmates” of Cebu to “never, never, never, give up hope.”
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that,” Cardinal Bo quoted Martin Luther King Jr. in his short talk with the prisoners during a visit on Jan. 26.
The dancing inmates is a collective of prisoners at a maximum security prison in Cebu who attained world fame for performing dance routines as part of their daily exercise and rehabilitation.
Wearing white gloves and dressed in their orange prison garb, the inmates greeted Cardinal Bo with an interpretation of Michael Jackson’s “They don’t care about us.” The prisoners followed with a performance of “Christ in Us, Our Hope of Glory,” the theme song of the 51st International Eucharistic Congress.
Cardinal Charles Maung Bo of Yangon, papal envoy to the International Eucharistic Congress in the Philippines, greet inmates at Cebu’s maximum security prison during a visit on Jan. 26. Photo by Angie de Silva / UCA News
One of the inmates Lito Granada told ucanews.com that they were not expecting the cardinal’s visit.
“We are deeply moved that no less than the representative of the pope came here for us,” said Granada who is serving a life sentence for rape.
“I know that problems are big and heavy, but recognizing that the Lord is with us, the load becomes lighter,” he said.
In a short dialogue with prisoners, Cardinal Bo, who mingled with the inmates urged them to pray for each other.
“Your prayers are powerful because God is very near to you. So pray for all of us. Pray for a more beautiful, peaceful Philippines,” the prelate said.
The cardinal assured the prisoners, who danced under the rain, that “life is not about waiting for the storms to pass but it is about learning to dance in the rain.”
“Yes, you have danced in the rain. Your dance is a beautiful love directed straight to the heart of all of us,” said Cardinal Bo.
Amid a loud applause from the inmates, the cardinal said “I love you all. I’ll pray for you all” in parting.
This article was originally published by UCA News.
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