Nicodemus said, “Surely the Law does not allow us to pass judgement on a man without giving him a hearing and discovering what he is about.”
(see John 7:40-52)
On September 3, 1952, father of three, Mahmood Hussein Mattan was taken from his cell at Cardiff prison and executed for a murder he did not commit. He was the last person to ever be hanged in Cardiff and the final innocent person to be hanged in Wales. Born in Somalia in 1923, Mahmood Mattan was a sailor which brought him to Wales. He was convicted for the murder of Lily Volpert, a local shopkeeper. He was told by officers at the time that he would die for Miss Volpert’s murder “whether he did it or not”, and was described in court as a ‘semi-civilised savage.’
Sadly, this miscarriage of justice and discrimination is not uncommon in the UK, and there have been a number of significant cases where people have been wrongly convicted after unfair investigations by the Police. In John’s Gospel, Nicodemus stands up for Jesus who is being treated unjustly, and reminds others that they must give him a fair hearing before passing judgement.
Whilst it is difficult for institutions to accept that they may be institutionally racist or, for example, misogynistic, it is important that there is proper scrutiny acceptance and transparency, and to listen to the voices of those who have been discriminated again. This applies not just to secular organisations but also to the Church. How much do we really value and stand up for justice?
PRAY FOR a Justice system which is fair for all and free from discrimination, and for all who support both victims and the accused.
Our daily reflections for Lent focus on the many injustices which exist in our world, as we seek to connect our life of prayer to social justice, the Justice of God which Christ proclaimed. More resources are available at www.southcardiffministryarea.co.uk/just-lent
South Cardiff Ministry Area 