Phone: 216-696-6525

Toll Free: 1-800-869-6525

Address: 1404 East 9th Street, Cleveland, OH 44114

Why Catholic? Meet Bishop Edward C. Malesic
Offices Parish Life Incarcerated & their Families Prison

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Ministry to the Incarcerated

The Ministry to the Incarcerated of the Diocese of Cleveland is a collaborative response to the Gospel: Matthew 25: “When I was in prison you visited me.” Called by the Holy Spirit, we extend the hope of reconciling love in our relationships with the offender, the victim and their families.

As presented in Catholic Social Teaching and as witnessed through our Catholic tradition, we believe that all people are created in God’s image and therefore entitled to dignity and love regardless of their current status or past mistakes. Further, we believe that nobody is outside the reach of the Holy Spirit and that a transformation can take place in anyone.

Countless men and women of our Diocese give their time and talent as ministers to the incarcerated, walking with inmates and their families through difficult times. Their hearts also hold in prayer the victims of crime and their families. It’s important to remember that each person’s story is unique and every story may not have a happy ending. But many do – lives that are changed through the power of God’s love and compassion.

If you have a loved one who is incarcerated, there is hope! We invite you to attend one of our LEAF Ministry meetings where family members, much like yourself with an incarcerated loved one, share and support one another on this painful journey.  If you are unable to attend, we pray that our good and gracious God will be ever present to you and your loved one during these difficult times.

Chaplain Services

If you have a loved one incarcerated in one of the eight counties of the Diocese and would like to have a priest, deacon or one of our lay volunteer ministers visit with them, please call the Parish Life Office at 800-869-6525 or 216-696-6525 x3500. The Diocesan Ministry to the Incarcerated has a presence in the three state prisons, the country jails and the juvenile facilities located within our diocese. If you have a loved one in one of these institutions, we would be glad to have someone visit with them.

Please watch this short 8-minute video to learn more about prison ministry in the Diocese of Cleveland.

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