The following comes from a Dec. 2 story in Catholic San Francisco.
Facing a chronic shortage of Catholic priests serving on active duty as chaplains in the U.S. military, the Archdiocese for the Military Services, based in Washington, D.C., is asking for prayers and support from the faithful.
On Tuesday, Dec. 9, the faithful of Northern California will have an opportunity to contribute by joining military services Archbishop Timothy Broglio, at a reception at the Marines’ Memorial Club and Hotel, 609 Sutter St., San Francisco, at 6 p.m. Tickets or sponsorships must be purchased in advance. Proceeds will go to support Catholic military chaplain vocations and other pastoral services to Catholics in uniform.
The ranks of Catholic chaplains have been thinning out in recent years because of a nationwide priest shortage combined with the military’s mandatory retirement age of 62. Aging military priests are reaching retirement faster than they can be replaced. Since 9/11, as the nation waged its longest war in history, the number of priests on active duty has declined by more than 40 percent, the military archdiocese said.
Catholics make up approximately 25 percent of the military population but Catholic priests now make up only about 8 percent of chaplains, Archbishop Broglio said. The gap can make it hard for Catholic servicemen and women to practice their faith, particularly on distant deployments and in war zones where Masses are few and far between and servicemen and women can go weeks at a time without access to the sacraments. “And when they do need spiritual counseling, those Catholics often have to go to non-Catholic chaplains, who sometimes proselytize their own religious teachings,” Archbishop Broglio said.
Archbishop Broglio said it would take nearly an additional 500 priests to meet the military’s current demand for active-duty Catholic chaplains.
The military services archdiocese is asking the faithful to support its Co-Sponsored Seminarian Program, a 25-year-old partnership between the military services archdiocese and local dioceses and religious communities to support vocations, drawing heavily from men already in the military. The program’s projected cost for the next five years is $2.7 million.
To read original story, click here.
As an Army brat and as a Vietnam veteran, I can honestly say that the chaplains do a wonderful job and were always there to help and advise whenever they were needed.
“As an Army brat and as a Vietnam veteran, I can honestly say that the chaplains do a wonderful job and were always there to help and advise whenever they were needed.”
Bob, Thank you very much for your service to our country. That was a very loyal and charitable post. We never ever forget the powerful influence that a good priest has in our individual lives. As a cradle Catholic I feel the same way about the faithful priests, bishops and cardinals who did such a wonderful job. They WERE always there to help and advise whenever they were needed. The very same goes for the sisters in full habits. I also had the wonderful privilege of having them as teachers. They would encourage us to bring roses to Our Lady and then place them in a vase in front of the statue of Mary. There was a different kind of beautiful flower each day sent there by a mother or father from their own garden which taught the little children to see Mary as their heavenly mother who they could always turn to in times of crisis.
St. John Bosco’s Prophecy of the Two Columns
“Breaking through all resistance, the new Pope steers his ship safely between the two columns and moors it to the two columns; first to the one surmounted by the Host, and then to the other, topped by the statue of the Virgin. At this point something unexpected happens.
Thank you for your service, Bob. Catherine is right on target. But whereas the chaplains like Fr. Emil Kapaun were allowed to act as Catholic men – preaching, guiding, sacrificing – many chaplains today are sadly hamstrung by policy and an overarching fear of reprisal. It is not the same climate as it once was, not at all.
And yet, having a spouse serve overseas in the not-too-distant-past, I can testify that the soldiers are in dire need of that which is real and fruitful to salvation. They are starving for it. Many a chaplain still desires to provide, but it is increasingly difficult so as to render it nearly heroic virtue just to be able to speak the Truth on the most base of matters.
I could never advise any Catholic to join the US military. The reasons are multitude, but until the hierarchy discourages this, I do very much desire that all Catholic soldiers have the sacraments and be ready for Heaven if death should come for them. To this end, I can think of some priests, admittedly not nearly the amount needed, who indeed are willing but who only offer the TLM and pray the 1961 Office. Sadly, these priests are not received by the Archdiocese for the Military Services. I have been unable, despite knowing a friendly priest who worked in the chancery of this archdiocese, to communicate the error of this decision to His Excellency, Archbishop Borglio. I do hope that someone can convince His Excellency to welcome and invite these priests, but whether he does or not, let us pray for our Catholic soldiers, their Catholic chaplains, and the conversion of the other members of the military.
“…And when they do need spiritual counseling, those Catholics often have to go to non-Catholic chaplains, who sometimes proselytize their own religious teachings,” Archbishop Broglio said.”
You also have ‘chaplains’ who are instructed to give services for Wicca practitioners and in the same ‘sacred’ spaces used for Catholic worship. Soldiers in addition to the chaplains are told that meeting the needs of the people are what is important, not spiritual realities. That said, any Catholic that understands his/her Catholic Faith would know that defiling the chapels with wiccan services makes them unfit for sacred worship.
So the overriding message is syncretism and whatever is needed to make folks ‘feel’ good is what counts, not the actual Faith. This combined with forcing the 25% Catholic military to endure sensitivity training (desensitization) with regard to the right/wrong aspects of homosexual behaviors in the ranks in addition to the degrading of the honor and reverence due to women causes a real and true crisis for *believing* Catholic men and women in the military.
Several years ago I helped out at an American air force base by hearing confessions and celebrating Masses. Now, with all the silly and ridiculous politically correct nonsense, it is not wise to help the chaplains. The higher ups used to allow the priests the freedom to preach, but today is another story. With law suits and insane court cases abounding, why would anyone want to work for an extension of the evil and demonic Obama nation? Until things return to a somewhat normal situation, I do not see priests flocking to serve the military. The political playing with the bishops is bad enough, but when you have another bureaucracy to fight with, the odds greatly go against working for the chaplain corps.
You “helped out” an air force base? I thought your job was to go where you would rather not go, at least if you follow Peter into the discipleship of Christ. Or are you just a priest to “help out”?
What is your bizarre mission, mous? To obscure that which is Catholic with an overemphasis on papal authority that would lead souls to who knows where and provide the Pope with no aid whatever from the faithful?
Your attacks on the Faith are disgusting and transparent. And your seeming trust in ‘men’ at the expense of Faith is a highly dangerous thing.
The Holy Ghost was promised to the Church, friend, not only THE POPE. You seem to have gained your understanding of the papacy and papal authority from Protestant sources and are now allowing that to cloud your judgment.
Who said anything about the Pope, malleyiscious.
What is your mission, mous? Discredit? Distract? Divert? It would seem you have a penchant for naming and misnaming everyone but yourself.
As to that, “…following St. Peter,” as you stated in your jab at Fr. Karl is a reference to the Pope and the Papacy. Or didn’t you get that talking point, mous? And your intimation of following Peter was another complete miss.
You also seem incapable of distinguishing the loathing of sin and sinful obfuscation and mischief making – your forte – with vindictiveness. But Truth and Good will conquer, mous, there is no need for the pettiness favored by those who would work against the good.
So follow whoever you will into complete obscurity.
Anonymous, Priests take vows according to their Order.
They can not do whatever they want, whenever they want.
They have to get permission from the Bishop or head of their Order.
Don’t you know anything about the Catholic Faith ?
Are you another troll who is not Catholic, yet pretends to know so much about the faith to deceive people?
Anonymous just gave himself away: the person is not really Catholic. Oftentimes priests are asked to help out in other parishes when the pastor is away, or to assist in other areas when needed. As I wrote before, “It is better to be thought a fool, than to write and leave no doubt!” Ave Maria Purrissima!
Military Stand Downer
Catholic Military Chaplains played an important role in the acceptance of the Church in America and elsewhere – partly because they would Minister at the Front Lines where they Shared the greatest danger too.
In WW1 even an English unit ‘converted’ en masse, because their alleged ‘minister’ was never seen except ‘in the rear with the gear’.
Now such Catholics are being Forced Out of the Military – because the Wise Moral Teachings of the Church fail to conform to the Gaystapo Mandates of the Abomination
The Shame of POTUS Barry ‘Down Low’ Soetoro and his Pelos-Rat-Pak – Pimping our Military to said Gaystapo Alliance – is intended to and already has caused tremendous Harm to the Nation as a Whole – with Worse On the Way.
The “Fundamental Transformation” towards Abomination is similar to the destruction of the German ‘Weimar Republic’ in the 1930s – and while Homo-Anal Coprophiles (like Chicago’s “Man Country” Stall Stallions Barry & the Rahm) – such as Ephebophile leader of the ‘SA’ Storm Troopers – Captain’ Ernst Rohm (& his syphilitic prostitute protege Hitler), founded the Homo-Nazi Reich…
(SEE: “The Strange, Strange Story of Gay Fascists”
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/johann-hari/the-strange-strange-story_b_136697.html
“The lost boys of Afghanistan”
https://www.startribune.com/opinion/101505674.html
Like the Spartan Model they adore, hard core martial homo-anal ephebophiles (& ’modern’ Jihadis) Also Relish Raping Younger Males – Which Homosex Rape / Abuse Now represents Over 50% of All Sex Assaults in the Military.
I Volunteered (USCG) Before my Military Draft (Vietnam) Lottery Drawing (Not Picked), which was the Nation’s last – although Registration Remains Mandatory – for Males….
BTW – POTUS Barry ‘Down Low’ Soetoro’s Draft Registration appears a Real – Shoddy Forgery.
Anywayyy… Military Chaplains are expected to provide ‘Religious’ Services to those of other Faiths when in the field – But does that Now Include Respecting / Supporting Diversity by Serving ‘satanists’?
And Also Pandering to the SSAD ‘Frothy Mix’ of Homo-Anal Coprophiles / Dykes & purported Traneeez (Gender is immutable & inherited)…
– Themselves Now Consolidating Their Power in the Military – After acceptance of Personal Risk has been removed from the Requirements for many…
– As Drones & Remote Killing Devices play increasing roles; giving Power of Life & Death over others Without Personal Risk.
Sooooo… Must ‘tolerant’ Military Chaplains Sup With ObamAcorns / Alinskyites & Serve True Evil?
“Satanic Temple approved for display in Florida’s Capitol
News Service of Florida 12/4/14
The Satanic Temple is being welcomed this year inside Florida’s Capitol… along with a pair of nativity scenes and other secular…
Florida Department of Management Services approved the proposed holiday display from the Satanic Temple, which a year ago was rejected because the agency said its proposal was “grossly offensive.”
…Lucien Greaves, spokesman for the Satanic Temple, said “the difference seems to be in the fact that this time around we arrived with lawyers.” -which threatened to sue…
Guess which side the ‘tolerance Gaystapo’ of the Abomination take:
“LESBIAN JUDGE TAKES ON JESUS IN COURT https://www.wnd.com/2014/12/lesbian-judge-takes-on-jesus-in-court/
An openly lesbian federal judge whose appointment was opposed by dozens of U.S. senators has ruled against a Christian former Navy chaplain who alleged his superiors engineered his dismissal from the service because he was not “ecumenical.”
– Elaine Kaplan of the U.S. Court of Federal Claims rejected the allegations of former chaplain Gordon Klingenschmitt, who recently was elected to the Colorado House of Representatives.
He had routinely prayed “in Jesus name” as part of his work as a chaplain.
The judge, who formerly worked for the National Treasury Employees Union, was opposed by 35 GOP senators when she was appointed by President Obama.
The Washington Blade, a homosexual-advocacy publication, quoted Fred Sainz of the Human Rights Campaign praising Kaplan’s confirmation.
“LGBT people are increasingly visible in all areas of public service, but as a community that so deeply cherishes the virtues of fairness and equality, there is a unique power in seeing role models like Kaplan preside over a court of law,” Sainz said.
(** Re = HRC = SEE:
‘Gay’ DNC Bundler, Founder of HRC Charged with Raping Boy
https://townhall.com/columnists/mattbarber/2014/11/23/gay-dnc-bundler-founder-of-hrc-charged-with-raping-boy-n1922701/page/full#2
Male military sex assault victims slow to complain
https://townhall.com/news/politics-elections/2014/12/08/male-military-sex-assault-victims-slow-to-complain-n1929034?
WASHINGTON (AP) …Sexual assaults on men in the military happen more often than people might think… rare men willing to report it and talk about it openly.
According to an anonymous survey released last week by the Pentagon… equates to about 10,500 men and 8,500 women.
Yet only 14 percent of assaults reported last year involved male victims.
Afraid to be seen as victims or as weak or gay… The campaign urges troops to intervene in potential assault situations, and not just when the victim is a woman.
…While people may question how a burly infantry officer or Marine could be assaulted, often he is drunk, passed out or asleep.
– The services are learning that they should tailor their approaches differently for men and women, after initially thinking all the training materials should be gender-neutral.
“There are differences that we need to acknowledge and build our programs around,” said Col. Scott Jensen, director of the Marine Corps sexual assault prevention program.
Hopper said he told military officials they also needed to better promote their confidential hotline… reports filed by male sailors and Marines this year has tripled.
“It tells me they understand what constitutes sexual assault in the first place and they’re tired of the behavior and they’re not going to put up with it,” said Loftus.
Troop Survey Hardly a Morale Victory (Family Research Council FRC.org)
Congress is about to turn a corner in the New Year, but for our military, the biggest battle is just finding the motivation to keep going. The only thing in shorter supply than funding is morale, as troops admit to the greatest burnout in recent memory.
Stressed and stretched thin, most service members say they’re fighting another kind of enemy: distrust and dissatisfaction. For most troops, the last six years have been an emotional roller coaster — not only because of the external conflicts, but because of the internal ones that threaten to tear apart an already fragile fighting force.
In a new Military Times survey of active-duty troops, morale has bottomed out, as more service members say they feel “underpaid, under-equipped, and under-appreciated” — and over-exposed to an anti-faith, pro-P.C. agenda that’s tearing at the fabric of the nation’s proudest tradition.
Now, a half-decade deep into the President’s social experiment with the military, the scars are starting to show. On almost every indicator, “Troops report significantly lower overall job satisfaction, diminished respect for their superiors, and a declining interest in re-enlistment now compared to just five years ago.”
In this brave new world of sexual liberalism and religious censorship, the Pentagon seems at a loss to explain the sky-high assault and suicide rates.
By not just eroding — but punishing — the values that most troops embrace, it’s no wonder morale is in a freefall.