Jesus saves … but the US Navy cuts. In a strange budget maneuver, the Navy has decided to end its contracts with outside ministries to provide religious services to its officers and enlisted personnel, relying instead entirely on its chaplain corps. That has the material effect of curtailing access to Catholic Masses, a point noticed in San Diego by the Union-Tribune. It appears that the policy is nationwide, however:
Catholic Masses at San Diego-area Navy bases have ended because the Navy, in what it says is a cost-cutting move, has declined to renew its contracts with Catholic priests, and there are not enough Catholic chaplains on active duty to fill the void.
Protestant services on bases, which are led by active duty chaplains, will continue, said Brian O’Rourke, a Navy Region Southwest spokesman.
The changes to the Navy’s religious ministries are part of a national realignment announced on Aug. 20. It is unclear how many priests this will affect. …
While the Navy has an active duty component of clergy — the Chaplain Corps —
reflecting a worldwide shortage of Catholic priests. To make up for that shortage, the service contracted with priests to lead Catholic services on U.S. bases.
Those contracts are the ones being canceled.
The net effect is that Catholics on Navy bases in the US no longer have access to on-base Mass. (Overseas bases and ships at sea will continue to have Catholic Mass.) That matters, Navy personnel say, because that gave them a sense of heightened community that simply going out to off-base parishes won’t provide. The disparity between access to religious services will also undermine morale and the sense of broader community on naval bases, as Catholics will certainly see this as differential treatment.
The above comes from a Sept. 7 story on Hot Air.
I remember, lo these many years, while at sea, one had an automatic dispensation from attending Mass.
I wonder if Protestant chaplains contracts are being cancelled. Or are they all volunteers?
The Bishops need to subsidize these priests. Otherwise they risk a growing group of ‘former Catholics’.
But wiccans, satanists, and heretical Protestants can continue their services. Navy needs to fix this.
The shortage of catholic priests in the Chaplain’s Corps led to the need to contract civillian RC priests for $250K
Now, the Navy will save $250K by dropping those contracts, if there is an off-base option – an RC churcg close by.
The personnel are receiving help in locating nearby RC churches.
But for overseas, on ships, and remote areas, the Navy will still contract Priest’s services.
It is especially sad because in many cases, the military personnel had a long-term close relationship
to their on-base “Pastor” and with each other as a congregation.
Wouldn’t it be great if those Priests could volunteer to continue the services? Or some arrangements could be made?
https://wdtprs.com/2020/09/milarchusa-archbp-broglio-responds-to-us-navy-decision-to-cancel-catholic-priest-contracts/#comments
https://www.military.com/daily-news/2020/09/06/navy-cancels-catholic-masses-san-diego-bases-while-other-religious-services-continue.html
Navy reversed course, said today they will renew contracts with Catholic priests to celebrate Mass on bases.
$250K? A minimal cost for the Navy. What do we say to troops in the Navy, Marine Corps or the Coast Guard who count on their Priests to be available when needed, or to troops who don’t have a car or way to get around, esp when on TAD someplace? Very poor decision by the SecNav and the Chief of Chaplains.
Well what did you expect? Trump hates the military and only uses religion as a campaign prop.
If he hated the military he would not have bothered giving them back their spiritual comfort.
Good news: WASHINGTON, DC – His Excellency, the Most Reverend Timothy P. Broglio, J.C.D., Archbishop for the Military Services, USA, issued the following statement today on the U.S. Navy’s decision to retain contracts with civilian Catholic priests at naval bases in California for at least another year.
Archbishop Broglio said:
“Catholics in the Navy and everywhere in this Country rejoice in the decision by the U.S. Navy to reconsider closing the thriving Catholic programs at naval stations in California.
“I am deeply grateful to everyone who lent their support and encouragement to maintaining these programs. In a particular way, I am grateful to the Navy Chief of Chaplains and his staff, as well as, Navy Southwest for their consideration and effort.”
As many thought would happen, the original bad decision was reversed by higher ups. Thanks and gratitude are in order.
From the Catholic Loop this morning: President Trump ordered the United States Navy not to cancel its contracts with Catholic priests to provide Masses on San Diego-area bases. Trump tweeted: “This will no longer be even a point of discussion!” Rear Adm. Bette Bolivar said the Navy “will continue contracted religious ministry programs and services similar to what we’ve had in place previously.”
Can we not give credit where it’s due?
You’re right. Another bit of Winning from President Trump. Giving credit where it’s due.
Such good news! God Bless our military, God bless America, and God save the world. Amen.