Archbishop visits Eglin chapel

  • Published
  • By Chrissy Cuttita
  • Team Eglin Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Eglin's Chapel had the unique opportunity to sponsor a four-star equivalent's visit to the installation but the distinguished guest is not a general in America's military nor does he wear the uniform.

The "red carpet" was rolled out for Archbishop Timothy Broglio who leads the Archdiocese for the Military Services, the sole endorser and certifier of Roman Catholic chaplains for the Department of Defense.

"We are charged with the pastoral care of Catholics in the military and in the government outside the U.S.," his Excellency said. "During this visit I had the opportunity to see the people, understand their challenges and joys while bringing the message of concern on behalf of the chief Shepherd. You have an especially vibrant community at Eglin despite the fact that the Catholic chaplain is deployed. That is the sign of a healthy community."

Being that he was scheduled as celebrant of the Catholic sacrament of Confirmation for youth at several Florida military bases, Archbishop Broglio added an opportunity to spend time visiting each location.

"His time spent visiting us showed his real concern for the military and Eglin and we deeply appreciate that," said Chaplain (Col.) Rex Williams, Eglin's installation chaplain. "Although he spent time with the Catholic community, our chaplains serve everyone."

That is the uniqueness of the priestly mission the Archbishop engaged in while at Eglin visiting the hospital ministries, 6th Ranger Training Battalion and meeting with the base commander. While AMS provides the endorsement and training for its clergy, they recognize chaplains in the field are doing more than keeping up sacramental records of their faith.

"The military is a model for ecumenical and interreligious ministry," said Archbishop Broglio. "When the cooperation and collaboration is good at military installations it shows a lot of what is in common, care for one another, particularly in deployed locations."

The leader of AMS spent his holidays overseas as part of his ministry's tradition. He said what he has witnessed in deployed locations is impressive and very moving.

"Our big concern is the toll of war and the weight that has put on families," said Archbishop Broglio. "It is important all chaplains help families cope with separation and post-traumatic stress. By supporting the priests, AMS supports their ministries."

During his visit at Eglin he had the opportunity to provide some of the ministries Eglin's deployed priest normally would like visiting the sick in the hospital or providing mass in the field for Army Rangers.

Chaplain Williams and the Archbishop shared their concerns of such a large ministry for the nation's military given the shortage of priests inside and outside military gates.
"We are grateful to have the seasoned ministers the archdiocese is working hard to provide," Eglin's installation chaplain said.

Reaching out in the recruitment of military chaplains is a pitch Archbishop Broglio said he has given to select audiences. AMS provides one half of the seminary expenses for its co-sponsored seminaries.

To help support their base ministries, his Excellency said he encourages Catholic chaplains to reach out to the churches and dioceses in their local area. Often installations reach out to these neighbors for support in times such as now at Eglin when a local priest has been filling in for the deployed military chaplain. In fact, 28 military bases do not have a Catholic chaplain due to the shortages.

"I spend 65 percent of the year on the road visiting installations," said Archbishop Broglio. "We offer them what any Catholic diocese would."

Religious education teacher certification, youth retreats, young adult ministries, marriage certificates and tribunal cases are among the many services on that list of what AMS provides support and resources to.

AMS not only covers more than 220 installations in 29 countries, they also serve patients in 153 V.A. Medical Centers and federal employees serving outside U.S. boundaries in 134 countries.