Pastors Keep Up Tradition Of Washing Feet Of Prisoners At Camden Facility During Easter Week

By Mike Dougherty

CAMDEN, NJ (CBS) -- Pastors washing the feet of prisoners has become a tradition at the Camden County Correctional Facility during the holy week of Easter.

A few dozen prisoners, both men and women, lined up and removed one shoe, many cracking smiles and laughing at the awkwardness while being washed.

Pastor Mike McCue from the Cathedral, of the Immaculate Conception in Camden, says this is a symbolic gesture of humility.

"It's an ancient ceremony that commemorates what the Lord did at the Last Supper. And it communicates God's love."

That love was felt by 35-year-old inmate Eddie Lopez. He says his faith in Christ helps get him through hard days in jail.

"I felt like it was out with the old and in with the new, you know, washed away the sins I guess from when I traveled down the wrong road."

And the water was a little bit colder than he anticipated.