Unusual Opportunity

SÃO PAULO, Brazil — The Bible Society of Brazil (BSB) recently took part in an unusual distribution of Scriptures. It took place at the notorious Carandiru prison where 114 grooms – all inmates – lined up before a Justice of the Peace with their brides to swear their matrimonial vows. The role of the BSB was to offer a copy of the Bible to every one of the bridegrooms.

“The Bible is an inexhaustible source of spiritual support, wisdom and ethical principles,” BSB General Secretary the Rev Luiz Antonio Giraldi told the couples, “and it is a valuable instrument in this new and important stage in your lives.”

Carandiru, in São Paulo state, is the largest prison in Latin America. On October 2 1992 it was stormed by military police in an attempt to quell a riot which had broken out. When the police withdrew 11 hours later, 111 inmates were left dead.

More than 110,000 people, including prisoners and family members benefit from the BSB’s prison programs each year. Every month some 400 Bibles, 1,000 Scripture Portions and 1,000 New Testaments are distributed in 71 prisons throughout Brazil. (WR 356/22 - 12.00) [PHOTOS]

---