Military Archdiocese garners vital support from special collection

Last updated on: November 8, 2013 at 11:47 pm by CNA Daily News

Military Archdiocese garners vital support from special collection 2013-11-08T23:47:00+00:00 CNA Daily News

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Washington D.C., Nov 8, 2013 / 04:47 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- A new special collection as Masses throughout the U.S. offers crucial help for military chaplains administering sacraments and support to those serving in the U.S. Armed Forces throughout the world.

“Thank you for making it possible for me to visit the flock entrusted to my pastoral care. Thank you for supporting the tireless work of the auxiliaries,” said Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA.

“Thank you for allowing this global archdiocese to say 'yes' each day to fulfilling its responsibilities each day to the men and women in uniform, their families, to our veterans and those who serve our nation outside our shores.”

Archbishop Broglio spoke at the 5th Annual Benefit for the U.S. Military Archdiocese, held in Arlington, Va., on Nov. 7.

The archdiocese oversees the spiritual and pastoral care of the 1.8 million U.S. Catholic military members, veterans, Department of Defense contractors, and civil service employees working abroad, as well as their families around the globe.

The archbishop's words of thanks to supporters came as the Archdiocese for the Military Services prepares for its first-ever special collection on Nov. 10. The collection was approved to be taken up once every three years by the U.S. bishops at a general meeting last year.

Although it ministers to government employees and their families, the archdiocese does not receive funding from the U.S. government, nor does it receive any money from weekly collections in U.S. military chapels, as those contributions are distributed according to military funding regulations.

The archdiocese funds its $5.1 million operating budget through private donations.

These funds go to support priests' ability to move between the 220 military installations in 29 countries, 153 VA Medical Centers, and combat zones and warships across the world, where they are responsible for administering sacraments and providing pastoral support for those in the armed forces.

For military families at home, the archdiocese also provides catechesis programs, faith formation and support, record keeping, and other services.

Funds are also needed to help the archdiocese address the shortage of Catholic chaplains in the military. Although 25 percent of the military is Catholic, only eight percent of active-duty chaplains are Catholic, in part because priests are reaching the military's mandatory retirement age of 62 more quickly than the archdiocese can train new priests. Since 2001, the number of active-duty priests has dropped from over 400 to 234.

However, vocations within the military are on the rise. Since 2008, the vocations program within the Military Archdiocese has grown from just seven seminarians to “36 young men studying for or recently ordained to the priesthood in eventual service as chaplains,” Archbishop Broglio said at the benefit.

“They are a joy to be with, a source of pride and a beacon of hope for the future.”

The seminarians in training to become priest-chaplains are all part of the Co-Sponsored Seminarian Program, a partnership between the Archdiocese for the Military Services and local dioceses.

Through the program, each diocese sponsors part of the seminarians' training. However, even with this support, it costs the Archdiocese for the Military Services at least $75,000 to sponsor each seminarian. Over the next five years, seminary costs alone will form $2.7 million of the archdiocese's budget.

But despite this financial challenge, Archbishop Broglio remains hopeful, observing that the Archdiocese for the Military Services has always persevered, due to outside support and the hard work of those who “give of themselves and see their employment as a vocation.”

Previous Post

November 8, 2013

African Catholic bishops urge forgiveness, end to exploitation

Next Post

November 9, 2013 Pope's words show ongoing conversation with world

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Americas Asia - Pacific Europe Middle East - Africa Uncategorized US Vatican

Select a Month November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Who was struck dead instantly for lying about money they gave to the church?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Ananias and Sapphira Aquila and Priscilla Judas Iscariot and Mary Magdalene Simon the Sorcerer and Demas