In prison he takes care of pedosexual and violent offenders – talks to them, looks after them and celebrates church services with them: Friedrich Kleine works as a pastor and prison chaplain. He preaches forgiveness where there seems to be none.
By David Wasiliu
When Pastor Friedrich Kleine goes to church, he steps through a large iron gate, under security cameras, past barbed wire and through heavy lattice doors until he comes to a white wooden door. He unlocks the door, goes down a few steps, and then he stands there: in front of Jesus crucified, who died so that people might be forgiven.
Kleine is a prison chaplain, prison is his church. The 62-year-old wants to make everyday life easier for the prisoners and take away their worries. He prays, sings, preaches, baptizes, buries, speaks and listens. He talks about miracles and hope, about forgiveness and grace – in a place that doesn’t seem made for any of that. “I see myself as a companion,” says Kleine.