A Living Hope

Written by Fiona Preston

From the 2nd to the 7th of October Revd Canon Tracey Wolsley along with Revd Fiona Preston travelled to Bangkok, Thailand to represent Australia at the 2025 International Prison Chaplaincy Association (IPCA) Conference. Four other Australian Anglican chaplains attended all financially supported to attend by the Anglican Diocese of Melbourne.

130 prison chaplains from over thirty countries gathered for the eighth IPCA Conference, also marking the 40th anniversary of this ecumenical network. The theme ‘A Living Hope’ taken from 1 Peter 1:3 guided the week of worship, learning, and international collaboration.

Around the world today more than 11.5 million people live behind bars; a population that would make up the world’s 86th largest country! Each of these lives represents not only an individual story but a network of families, victims, staff, and communities profoundly affected by incarceration. To overlook or forget prisoners is to overlook the lived experience of millions of global citizens. Yet behind the walls, around the clock, acts of care and compassion continue; small, quiet moments of grace in hidden places.

Delegates included Orthodox priests from Belarus, Evangelical pastors from Ghana, Lutheran chaplains from Europe and Muslim imams from Scandinavia — all united by a single calling: to bring the light of Christ’s compassion into the world’s prisons.
The Venerable James Ridge, Chaplain General for England and Wales, opened the conference with a keynote address on the chaplain’s call to bring “living hope” to those who may feel abandoned. “Our task,” he said, “is simple but profound: to care. To remind each person that they are made in the image of God and that they are not forgotten.”

Across national and denominational differences the chaplains in attendance recognised a striking similarity in their work; to bear witness to God’s presence, even in the darkest places.

A highlight of the trip was a visit to a men and women’s Thai prison and an invitation to speak with some of the men from the Christian group. The men spoke highly of their chaplain and the profound affect Christ has had on their lives. It was important to communicate to them that they are seen and cared for.