SPRING 2020
THE MAGAZINE OF THE ARCHDIOCESE FOR THE MILITARY SERVICES, USA
Now God has not only raised the Lord, but he will also raise us up through His power. 1 Corinthians 6:14 Spring 2020
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Dear Friends of the Archdiocese for the Military Services,
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his has been a very mild winter. March did not come in like a lion. I suppose that there is still a chance that it might go out like one! As I write the media is talking about the cherry blossoms and springtime. Of course, our pilgrimage through the desert of Lent urges us to focus on the victory of Christ over sin and death, the source of our hope and consolation. This year in particular we look forward to the annual celebration of that singular event of our salvation, and we are eager to share the Easter gifts with the catechumens and those who will be received into full communion with the Church. Resurrection will also be welcome after the anxiety created by the media treatment of the coronavirus and the necessary precautions that all have taken in response. As an archdiocese we rejoice in the presentation of the Positio on the life and virtues of the Servant of God, Father Vincent Capodanno, MM. This document has been prepared and delivered to the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. What a marvelous time to send off another issue of Salute! This issue of the AMS quarterly publication will, of course, recount some of the activities of the Auxiliary Bishops and me over the Christmas holidays and offer a brief look at the up-coming pastoral programs and events in the Archdiocese, as well as, some of the ministry accomplished in these months. We all look forward to eight ordinations to the priesthood and nine ordinations to the transitional diaconate of AMS co-sponsored seminarians. Thank you for your prayerful support. You will meet one more seminarian in this issue. I never cease to give thanks to Almighty God for these signs of His future care for the flock. Enjoy the following pages of Salute. May the Risen Lord fill your hearts with the serenity that only He can offer. Let us continue to support one another in prayer. Sincerely in Christ,
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The Most Reverend Timothy P. Broglio Archbishop
THE MAGAZINE OF THE ARCHDIOCESE FOR THE MILITARY SERVICES, USA
VOLUME 14 NUMBER 1 SPRING 2020
TA B L E o f C O N T E N T S
4 Planned, Unplanned, and Planned Again Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio 12 Practicing Silence Bishop F. Richard Spencer 14 Our Place in History Bishop Bill Muhm 18 The Journey Begins Bishop Joseph Coffey 20 The Harvest Continues Meet Seminarian Charles Wilton 24 Archbishop Broglio Plays Visible Role in 47th Annual National March for Life Activities Taylor Henry 28 Our Sunday Visitor Institute Awards $23,940 for Young Adult Catholic Outreach in the U.S. Military Taylor Henry 30 Catholic Military Couples Gather in Assisi, Italy for Marriage Enrichment Reteat Taylor Henry 33 Forming Catechists To Be Missionary Disciples José Amaya 42 Moral Injury and Sacramental Healing Mark Moitoza, Th.D.
COVER: CHRIST WITH THE FOUR EVANGELISTS, FRA BARTOLOMEO CIRCA 1516
The Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, publishes SALUTE for the nation’s Bishops, active and retired military chaplains, and financial supporters of the Archdiocese.
SPRING 2020
THE MAGAZINE OF THE ARCHDIOCESE FOR THE MILITARY SERVICES, USA
ADDRESS CHANGES AND NEW SUBSCRIPTIONS: Please send title, name, address and phone number to: support@milarch.org call 202.719.3600 or write: Advancement Office, Archdiocese for the
Now God has not only raised the Lord, but he will also raise us up through His power.
Military Services, P.O. Box 4469, Washington, D.C., USA 20017-0469 Feedback, letters to the editor: editor@milarch.org | Website: www.milarch.org Spring 2020
1 Corinthians 6:14 Spring 2020
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PLANNED, UNPLANNED, AND PLANNED AGAIN BY ARCHBISHOP TIMOTHY P. BROGLIO
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he last time we communicated I was off to the Middle East for the end of Advent and Christmas. There were not too many days between my return from Italy after the marriage enrichment retreat in Assisi and the departure day for the annual visits over the holidays.
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L- R: FATHER DAVID MCGUIRE, ARCHBISHOP TIMOTHY P. BROGLIO, MSGT DIANE KOEHLER, AND 2 MEMBERS OF THE 386TH EXPEDITIONARY SECURITY FORCES SQUADRON.
Indeed on the first day of the Novena before Christmas (17 December) I boarded a plane and set off for Roma once again. The layover in the Eternal City allowed me time to celebrate Mass, run an errand in the city, and have lunch with an old friend. Then it was time to board yet another plane and fly to Doha, Qatar. It was night when I arrived—indeed the plane was late! The quarters were the same ones I have stayed in many times. They are comfortable, airconditioned, and always stocked by the care of the priests who host me. Should I write that I slept well? (continued on page 6)
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In the morning there were a number of visits to make and opportunities to visit with the men and women serving in Qatar. Two priests guided me around their areas of ministry, Father Alex Labacevic, Eparchy of Parma, U.S. Air Force and Father Frantisek Halka, Diocese of AltoonaJohnstown, U.S. Army. At Mass that evening another surprise awaited me, a young Air Force pilot whose marriage I had blessed was deployed. It was good to see him again, observe the new moustache, and to admire a picture of his young child. Sometimes it is a very small world. That evening representatives of the Catholic community, the priests, and I found our way downtown for a delightful meal in the suq (a marketplace in the Middle East). The current rivalries and disputes in the area meant that to reach Bahrain the next day I had to fly from Qatar to Kuwait and back to Bahrain. It would have been quicker to swim. Later a naval officer in Bahrain (L-R) LIEUTENANT COLONEL JOSEPH NONATO told me that, had he known, (CANADIAN ARMED FORCES), CHIEF MASTER SERGEANT he would have sent a plane to JOSEPH HART (RHODE ISLAND AIR NATIONAL GUARD), ARCHBISHOP TIMOTHY P. BROGLIO, AND FATHER (CH, bring me to that country. Next MAJ) DAVID MCGUIRE (DEPUTY WING CHAPLAIN, ALI AL time I will remember that offer! SALEM AIR BASE, KUWAIT) Arriving in Bahrain on Friday meant that traffic was reduced. It is the Moslem day of rest. The young navy driver assured me that it would not be that way the next day. Of course, I have been to Bahrain almost every year since 2009. The presence of families makes the stop an obligatory one in my calendar and I am always pleased to return. Obviously, it would be easier if it were closer.
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ARCHBISHOP TIMOTHY P. BROGLIO INTERACTING WITH THE CREW ON BOARD A COAST GUARD SHIP, BAHRAIN.
Confirmation was on Saturday morning, followed by a reception, and then a quick visit to the Friars who assure pastoral care for the large ex-patriot communities in Bahrain. There is a notable presence of Filipinos, Indians, and others who practice their faith with enthusiasm. The priests make certain that at least for Christmas and Easter priests come to attend to the smaller national and cultural groups. The ministry there is truly a testimony to the international character of the Church and her mission to serve all peoples. The Base Commanding Officer and his wife invited those confirmed (their daughter was among them) and their families to supper at their home. It was a delightful evening, and the setting sun over the water would have made a splendid postcard. (continued on page 8)
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Sunday morning was reserved for a few meetings; one of which gave me a clear picture of the delicate situation in the area. The U.S. has an important role in keeping open shipping lanes and ensuring some level of peace. I have been keeping that situation even more intensely in my prayers since that morning visit and the disconcerting information about the tensions and particularly volatile situation in the area. After the noon Mass and a quick bite to eat, it was time to prepare the luggage for the next stop in this series of pastoral visits. Of course, I managed to leave my raincoat in the quarters. I did not need it there and would not need it until I would arrive in Boston on 29 December. However, I only noticed that I did not have it as I approached the security controls—I usually put my phone, glass case, and anything else that will sound an alarm ARCHBISHOP TIMOTHY P. BROGLIO WITH FATHER GIANCARLO CARIA, CHAPLAIN FOR THE ITALIAN CARABINIERI, STANDING IN THE ITALIAN CHAPEL IN THEIR COMPOUND ON ALI AL SALEM AIR BASE, KUWAIT.
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in the overcoat pockets. You cannot do that if you leave your coat at the hotel. Father Ulysses Ubalde (Archdiocese of Newark), my excellent Navy host in Bahrain, sent the coat back to me in Washington. The flight to Kuwait was quick, and Father Corneille of St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands, U.S. Army, was on hand to welcome me with a very capable warrant officer. We made our way to the local Cheesecake Factory for dinner. To our surprise one of the Catholic faithful treated us to an abundant meal! She probably still does not know that she provided my birthday dinner! Luckily, the priests did not look at that entry in the passport. Father Adam Ahern, Indianapolis, U.S. Army, was able to greet me just before he deployed to Egypt. These priests make tremendous sacrifices to attend to the spiritual needs of our men and women in uniform in all corners of the earth. It is a joy to be their leader. Our conversation was necessarily brief, but he is enthusiastic about his ministry. December 23rd gave me an opportunity to meet the leadership, spend some time with soldiers, and meet with the Catholics as well. At noon time, there was a very well-attended Mass in the theater that serves as a chapel. I have been there before, but it was very good to gather and pray with a portion of my flock. The Army decided to send me to the Air Force Base in a helicopter. A number of folks took advantage of the twenty-minute flight. The Air Force lodged me across from the Base Commander, and I promised to be a quiet neighbor! Father David McGuire, a priest of Richmond, U.S. Air Force, planned a very good program for my days there. Of course, it was Christmas Eve and the first important event was the Vigil Mass at the Ali Al Salem Air Base. Dinner followed, and then we shivered through a Christmas concert/sing along with various biblical readings to center the gathering on the mystery of Christmas. The Protestants were very pleased that I joined them and did a reading from the Gospel. It was only the second time in 43 Christmases as a priest, that we had no Midnight Mass. (continued on page 10) Spring 2020
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Christmas morning found us at Al Jaber, another Air Base, but dominated by the Marines. In fact, one of them remembered my visit to the Basic School at Quantico and was pleased to see me again. They pulled out all the stops for the Mass: a program, music, and even incense. I was surprised and pleased. As they were beginning a Christmas marathon, we headed back to Ali Al Salem for the second Mass there. A festive Christmas noontime meal was provided and, according to the military tradition, the commanders and I served the meal. I have told you before how warm it is to stand behind a hot table. Christmas Day was no exception! There was an opportunity for us to eat, then it was down to the Catholic Cathedral in the center of town. The traffic was overwhelming. So many of the ex-patriot Catholics had come to the Cathedral to worship. When we arrived there were some four different Masses being celebrated in various languages. It was impressive to see how many people were there and to know that the Masses had been celebrated since they began that morning (not counting Christmas Eve) at 3:30 a.m. We rushed to the Radisson Hotel where it was time for the diplomatic community Mass. I know some of the people who have been coming to that Mass for many years. It fills an important need and is a part of this Archdiocese’s mandate to care for Catholics who work for the U.S. Federal Government outside our borders. Needless to add, there was another buffet to conclude the festivities of the day. I was ready to sleep that night, as well. The next day we paid a visit to Fort Buehring where more of the U.S. Army is housed. Father Charles Awotwi (Diocese of Salina) welcomed us there with Father Corneille. They had convoked a good group of Catholics, including a young man whom I had confirmed at West Point (in fact I have also confirmed all of his siblings who have reached that point!). On Ash Wednesday, I ran into his sister, a resident physician at Walter Reed. Again, it is a small world. The Catholics there engaged me in a good dialogue and made me feel very much at home. These are always relatively brief meetings, perhaps
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an hour. The troops have things to do, but at least they know that the Church is accompanying them. I always assure them of my prayers and ask them to pray for our benefactors and me. Friday allowed for more visits and a return to the Radisson Hotel for the “Sunday” Mass for the diplomatic community. Then we had an abundant lunch at the hotel’s buffet. That evening the Italians invited us to their camp, where we saw the Christmas crèche and enjoyed home-made pizza. There was also alcoholfree beer. I do not recommend it! It was good to share stories and some Italian conversation with them. Their chaplain was with the Carabinieri and hailed from Sardinia. The evening was very pleasant indeed. Saturday was dedicated to visiting some other spots on base, enjoying a tour of the C-17 conducted by one of the Catholic pilots, celebrating Sunday Mass, and finally a meal with the enlisted Catholics. Again the dining facility staff made the occasion festive, and the question and answer session kept me on my toes. Departure for the airport was set close to 1 a.m. It was quite a beginning to a long ride back to the States through Amsterdam and Boston. A day to read Christmas cards, open presents, and pack clean clothes led up to my flight to Phoenix for SLS with FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students). Hours with these committed young people vivify your faith, fill you with hope, and animate an existence based on evangelical love. A special session for bishops filled our days, but there was time to spend with military students and active-duty young adults. There is great hope for the future and what a way to begin 2020! A number of trips filled January and February, and March was supposed to be equally busy, but the coronavirus changed all that. One scheduled engagement and trip was cancelled after another. Suddenly a very full month became a very empty one that allowed me extra time to pray for all of those afflicted by the disease, to counsel the priests and respond to their quandaries about mission under restraints, and look forward in hope for the future. Life is planned, unplanned, and planned again. A blessed Easter to all of you. V
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PRACTICING SILENCE BY BISHOP F. RICHARD SPENCER
Many of our confirmandi are very privileged to participate in a retreat experience during their preparations for the sacrament of confirmation. Many of the retreat houses are within easy traveling distances from our local Military Chapels. Most of these retreats are interactive with games, socializing, and learning about our faith, as well as, learning about commitment and the fruits of the sacraments. While participating in a retreat at a monastery, one particular chapel group from Kings Bay, Georgia, came to the dining facility and discovered the word SILENTIUM posted on all of the walls of the refectory. At first, some of the confirmandi found it unusual and awkward to “dine” with others, while honoring “silentium”. After a few giggles and finger sign language, the participants settled into the routine of eating in silence. While I was listening to them recount their experiences of the event, the feedback regarding silence was very positive. In the ascetic tradition of the Catholic Church, silence has always been a valued practice. While receiving this feedback from the students about their unique retreat experience, I was heartened
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to hear how many of those students would welcome other opportunities to repeat the same experience of observing silence. However, as we were discussing their reactions and observations, one student pointed out to the group that silence is not always “golden” or welcome. This particular retreat was on the weekend when our Nation was honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the student pointed out that indeed keeping silence is not always an absolute good. The student, a ninth grader, also remembering that the month of January 2020 was the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, reminded the group that silence in the face of injustice is not good. Her example was: “Silence that allows someone to step into the path of an oncoming bus is not a good action.” The group deepened its discussions to process further and to speak about when a Catholic should be silent and when not. I was very encouraged by the depth of their thought and understanding of social justice actions within the Catholic faith. We remain thankful to our Knights of Columbus councils and local Catholic Women of the Chapel
BISHOP F. RICHARD SPENCER (CENTER) WITH THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS AND FATHER JOHN REYNOLDS HA TRAN (NEXT TO BISHOP SPENCER) AT NAVAL SUBMARINE BASE, KINGS BAY, GA.
organizations, along with our Religious Education Staff, and all who support our confirmandi during their retreat experiences. One more story reflects the theme of “practicing silence”. This past Christmas holiday was shared with the Quantico USMC Base chapel where we remembered the very first Holy Night. But our
gathering was not very silent after singing the hymn “Silent Night”, because the congregation burst into a round of applause to express appreciation and its joy of witnessing the Christmas Story acted out and retold by the young members of the chapel community. Truly a joyfilled Christmas was experienced by all who were able to attend the Christmas Masses at Quantico. V
BISHOP SPENCER (REAR CENTER) AND FATHER KASULE (LEFT FOREGROUND) AT QUANTICO USMC BASE CHAPEL WITH THE CAST OF THE “CHRISTMAS STORY”.
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OUR PLACE IN HISTORY BY BISHOP BILL MUHM
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FATHER ARTURO ARCOS (RIGHT), CONTRACT PRIEST AT NSA NAPLES, SHOWS BISHOP BILL MUHM (LEFT) WHERE ST. PAUL LANDED AT POZZUOLI (ACTS 28:13)
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ne of the many things I have enjoyed as the AMS vicar for Europe and Asia is the history that surrounds us. Most of our installations and bases in Europe and Asia are in areas once occupied by mighty empires of the past. During my first year on the job, I have visited our Catholic communities, celebrated Mass, confirmed young people, received God’s people into the Catholic Church, and shepherded AMS priests where the Roman Empire once built city gates and roads (Germany, Italy, Spain, and Turkey), where the Battle of the Bulge was fought (Belgium), where the Christian armies of the Reconquista drove the last occupying Moors from Iberia (Spain), where the armies of Napoleon marched (Germany, Italy, Spain), where U.N. troops desperately fought back against invaders (Korea), and where U.S. service members heroically fought and died (Germany, Italy, Japan, Okinawa). The U.S. is a relatively young country, yet the Lord has given us the present time as our brief opportunity to influence world history. As Americans, let us pray that we as a nation clearly see our opportunities, our OKINAWA PEACE MEMORIAL PARK, WHICH responsibilities, and the COMMEMORATES THOSE WHO DIED IN THE BATTLE OF Lord’s will for us in the OKINAWA. FROM L-R: FATHER NELSON OGWEGBU, FATHER JAMES CUDDY O.P., AND BISHOP BILL MUHM world. AMS communities in Europe and Asia live and work in areas that have produced great saints and martyrs for our faith. We literally follow in the footsteps of Saints Peter and Paul, Saint Mark, Saint (continued on page 16) Spring 2020
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OUR PLACE IN HISTORY Januarius, Saint Boniface, St. Hildegard of Bingen, Saint Nicholas of Myra, Saint Francis of Assisi, the Saints of the Spanish Civil War, the English Martyrs, the Korean Martyrs, Saint Francis Xavier, the Japanese Martyrs, and the Martyrs of Micronesia, among many others. The Church is 2,000 years old; we disciples of Christ are here today, gone tomorrow. As Catholics, let us pray that we see our part in the global mission of the Church and live it out with courage and love!
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OKINAWA BISHOP WAYNE BERNDT O.F.M. CAP. (LEFT), AND BISHOP BILL MUHM (RIGHT), VISIT OKINAWA SUGAR LOAF BATTLE SITE MONUMENT.
The Archdiocese for the Military Services is unique among all U.S. dioceses, because it spans the globe. We preach, teach, catechize, sanctify, evangelize, and grow in holiness in every environment: in chapels, hospitals, office buildings, schools, urban areas, open fields, deserts, forests, polar regions, on mountaintops, in the air, at sea, and under the sea 24 hours per day, 365 days per year, across all 24 time zones. Most of our people are young, so they carry great potential to evangelize not only our own country but the entire world; not only our fellow Catholics but all those whom the Lord puts alongside us. May the Lord inspire all of us to see our place in world history and in Christ’s Church—and live it out to the fullest! God bless you, and thank you for your prayers and support for all of us at AMS. V
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FATHER PEDRO SOLA, CONTRACT PRIEST AT MORON AIR BASE (RIGHT), AND BISHOP BILL MUHM (LEFT), VISIT SEVILLE CATHEDRAL IN SPAIN.
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The Journey Begins
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s regular readers of our award-winning Salute magazine know, I was ordained along with Bishop Bill Muhm at the beautiful Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., on 25 March 2019. Bishop Muhm had just recently retired after 20 years on active-duty as a Navy Chaplain and was able to begin his journey soon after his ordination as the Vicar for Europe and Asia for the Archdiocese for the Military Services (AMS). I, however, had a little less than 19 years on activeduty before my ordination and therefore continued serving at my assignment as Command Chaplain at MCRD, the Marine Corps Boot Camp in San Diego, CA until 31 December 2019. Â
BY BISHOP JOSEPH L. COFFEY
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I am very happy to report that I have recently begun my full-time duties for the AMS as the Vicar for Veterans Affairs. It feels great to have started this fantastic opportunity to serve our Veterans and their families and represent Archbishop Timothy Broglio as his Vicar.
One of the first things I did was to go to the VA website to learn more about the VA. The United States has the most comprehensive system of assistance for veterans of any nation in the world with roots that can be traced back to 1636 when the Pilgrims of Plymouth Colony were at war with the Pequot Indians. The Pilgrims determined that disabled soldiers would be supported by the colonists. Later the Continental Congress encouraged enlistments during the Revolutionary War providing pensions to disabled soldiers. In 1811 the Federal Government authorized the first medical facility for veterans. The VA was elevated to a cabinet-level executive department by President Ronald Reagan in October 1988. The VA health care system has grown from 54 hospitals in 1930 to 1, 600 health care facilities today including 153 VA Medical Centers. Many of these Medical Centers, especially in the larger cities, have chaplains to provide for the spiritual and sacramental needs of
the veterans and their families. As in the Chaplain Corps of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, VA chaplains are chosen from many different faith groups. Each of the over 180 Catholic priests who are working as chaplains in the VA Medical Centers have been endorsed by our Archbishop Broglio, Archbishop for the Military Services, USA, who also endorses the Catholic Chaplains in the Military Chaplain Corps. As his Vicar for the VA, I will continue the great work of our recently retired Bishop Richard Higgins, who held this position for the last 15 years. To assist me, Archbishop Broglio has recently created a new position of Vice Chancellor for Veterans Affairs, and I am very happy to report that it has been filled by Ms. Deborah Stevens, who recently retired after many years of working at the VA. Together we will serve the Catholic priest who ministers to our wonderful veterans and their family members. In the next issue of Salute I look forward to reporting on some of my travels to our Nation’s VA Medical Centers. V Spring 2020
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THE HARVEST CONTINUES...
NAME: Charles Wilton (ARCH)DIOCESE / RELIGIOUS COMMUNITY: Arlington, VA ARMED FORCES BRANCH: Navy RANK: LTJG COLLEGE(S) / UNIVERSITY(IES) / SEMINARY(IES) ATTENDED (DEGREES AWARDED): Mount St. Mary’s Seminary, Emmitsburg, MD; (pursuing M.Div) Troy State University, AL. Master of Science in International Relations (2012); De Montfort University, Leicester, UK. Bachelor of Arts in Business Studies (2001) HIGH SCHOOL(S) ATTENDED: Archbishop’s Church of England (High) School HOBBIES: Reading, running, hiking, swimming, movies, and fine dining. TEAM SPORTS: Soccer
WHEN WAS THE FIRST TIME YOU THOUGHT YOU MIGHT HAVE A VOCATION TO THE PRIESTHOOD? I have always had that lingering question at the back of my mind about should I/ shouldn’t I from a very early age. My father is a retired Anglican priest and hospital chaplain, so I often thought about becoming a priest, albeit an Anglican one. However, the idea of writing and presenting a sermon every week always discouraged me. One Sunday in Afghanistan, Father Tyson Wood (an absolutely remarkable fellow and holy priest), gave a homily on vocations and the need for chaplains, I spoke with him afterwards, and thus my journey began.
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WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SCRIPTURE PASSAGE, WHY? Matthew 25:31-46. In that passage I find a simple and very effective way to live the Christian life. Call it Living Christianity 101. HOW DID YOU COME TO KNOW JESUS CHRIST PERSONALLY? Growing up in a Christian home, my parents spoke to us daily about Christ. We went to Church as a family every Sunday, and we prayed at every meal. I think I have always known Jesus Christ. For many years, I would only call on His name when I needed something. I have always had a sense that He was watching over me, patiently waiting for me to stop following my own path and instead ask Him where He would like me to go. God has continually been present in my life, but I did not always reciprocate His love. I finally understand who Jesus Christ truly is, how much He loves us and has a beautiful plan for everyone. A plan that is the only way to bring us true and lasting happiness. Moreover it is a lifelong relationship that, through prayer and reading Scripture, deepens every day. WHAT SPIRITUAL EVENTS OR ACTIVITIES HELPED YOU DEVELOP AND SHARE YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST AND HIS CHURCH? My acceptance into the Catholic Church and my confirmation. It was and will always be the most wonderful and incredibly moving experience. It remains the best decision I ever made. WHAT SAINTS OR CHURCH LEADERS INSPIRED YOUR DISCERNMENT JOURNEY? St. Anthony of Padua and St. John Cardinal Henry Newman. WHO ARE YOUR HEROES OR PEOPLE YOU SIGNIFICANTLY ADMIRE? I’ve been inspired by the writings of St. Josemaria Escriva, Archbishop Fulton Sheen, St. Thomas Aquinas, and St. Augustine. I also admire Robert Cardinal Sarah, Bishop Athanasius Schneider, and Archbishop Charles Chaput, whose wisdom and analysis are profound, insightful and all-round brilliant and compelling, and their steadfast orthodoxy a source of enormous strength. V
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Donor Advised Funds: Supporting Frontline and Favorite Charities during COVID-19
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BY MARY LAVIN
ritten well in advance of the now unprecedented situation of COVID-19, the article originally meant for this issue was a call to action to fill the pews for the Annual Memorial Mass this May. Pulled just before going to print, it now serves as a request to those individuals or families with already established donor advised funds to consider making new, additional, or increased grants to the AMS, and other frontline and favorite charities in the coming weeks and months, with already donated funds that will not affect income or assets. Most requests can be initiated online with Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors, Fidelity Charitable, Schwab Charitable, Goldman Sachs, and other financial companies. Information needed will include the organization’s EIN number (131 6 2 4 0 4 0 ) , organization name (Archdiocese for the Military
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Services, USA) and address (P.O. Box 4469, Washington, D.C. 20017). The charities you choose to support will benefit from your consideration and generosity during this period of uncertainty. Like most nonprofit organizations, the AMS realistically anticipates a decline in donations in the coming months while it continues to serve the needs of Catholic military personnel stationed around the world, their families, and the patients at the Nation’s Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Centers. In a 16 March update, Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio said:
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None of us knows how long this emergency will continue. The Auxiliary Bishops and I intend to continue our schedule of pastoral visitations, but we recognize that large gatherings of people are discouraged and chapels may be closed. If a visit is cancelled by the competent authorities, we will do our best to return as soon as possible. Pope Francis has urged us to remain close to the people we are privileged to serve and we intend to do that to the extent of our power in your need. When Pope Benedict XVI came to the United States twelve years ago he reminded us that Christians are a people of hope, and people of hope lead different lives. May our hope encourage others in this challenging time.
While not the call to action originally intended, this remains a call to presence, to come together as a Catholic community in celebration of our faith and support one another; a call to participation, to care and provide for those most vulnerable and impacted; and a call to prayer. Please visit www.milarch.org/category/news-and-events for additional news and updates and to subscribe to e-TTENTION, the monthly electronic newsletter, news releases, and more. V Spring 2020
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Archbishop Broglio Plays Visible Role in 47th Annual National March for Life Activities BY TAYLOR HENRY
ARCHBISHOP TIMOTHY P. BROGLIO (LEFT), WEST POINT CADET PAUL ROCHA, USMA CLASS OF 2022, AND SISTER HELEN SUMMANDER, VICE CHANCELLOR AMS AND BROTHER CARLOS OF WEST POINT, (BEHIND THE LEFT SHOULDER OF THE ARCHBISHOP) PARTICIPATING IN THE MARCH FOR LIFE ON 24 JANUARY 2020 IN WASHINGTON, D.C.
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ens of thousands of prolife advocates from all over the United States came to the nation’s capital the last full week of January for the 47th annual National March for Life and related events. His Excellency, the Most Reverend Timothy P. Broglio, Archbishop for the Military Services, USA, assumed a high profile in this year’s schedule. Not only did Archbishop Broglio lead a delegation of U.S. Army cadets and others from the Archdiocese for the Military Services (AMS) in the 24 January afternoon march along the National Mall, he also served as the principal celebrant and homilist in the closing Mass of the National Prayer Vigil for Life at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. The vigil began with confessions the morning of 23 January and continued throughout the day and overnight with prayers, devotions, Holy Hours, and Adoration, concluding the following day with the 7:30 a.m. Closing Mass where Archbishop Broglio preached.
In his homily, the Archbishop told the standing-room-only congregation of 5,000 that taking part in the March for Life is “an authentic act of patriotism.” His Excellency said, “you and I render a service to the nation we love in an authentic act of patriotism, because we march to attest to the dignity of the human person and the duty of the state to protect and foster that dignity. It is an innate dignity, because the human person is created in the image and likeness of God.” Addressing the controversial nature of the public debate over abortion, Archbishop Broglio posed a set of questions to the congregation: “What is the relationship between faith and the political life? What is the role of the Church in civil society? Can we as the Body of Christ address the problems of everyday life? Why does the Bishop of Rome send representatives to some 183 Nations throughout the world—including our own? The questions are valid. The Pharisees, the Herodians, and other groups with conflicting ideas asked Jesus (continued on page 26) Spring 2020
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March for Life the same questions. Every time a bishop or a priest speaks about social justice, we can hear a similar refrain: they are interfering in the political system or attempting to force creedal values in the public sphere. Let us remember that the believer is charged to be the leaven of the Gospel in our world. We have been scented with the fragrance of Chrism so as to fill the world with the pleasing aroma of the Gospel. All of us are charged in his or her own way to propose the message of the Gospel in every corner of the world. That is a part of our baptismal mandate.” The National March for Life is held every year on or around the date of the U.S. Supreme Court decision on 22 January 1973 in Roe v. Wade, legalizing abortion. In his homily,
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Archbishop Broglio said, “Everyone from conception to the moment of natural death has inalienable rights, and we rejoice in the privilege of affirming those rights on the anniversary of a regrettable decision of the Supreme Court. May the March for Life reaffirm our commitment to serve the truth, to respect everyone, to speak civilly, and to unite in prayer.” Read the full text of Archbishop Broglio’s homily at https://www.milarch.org/ archbishop-homilies/. The theme of this year’s National March for Life was “Life Empowers: Pro-Life is Pro-Woman.” For more information on the National March for Life, visit https://marchforlife. org/national-march-for-life/. V
The Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA
Pathway of Honor Show your support for service members, veterans, chaplains, military families, and all who have served or continue to serve by reserving a commemorative brick today. Your brick will join hundreds of others lining the pathways of the Edwin Cardinal O’Brien Pastoral Center in Washington, D.C. A suggested donation of $150 will ensure that the brick you order, in memory of your loved one, will be placed in the “Pathway of Honor”. To order a brick, visit
https://www.milarch.org/bricks/
You can donate online or print a donation form.
If you have any questions, please contact the Advancement Office at: (202) 719-3622 or support@milarch.org
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Our Sunday Visitor Institute Awards $23,940 for Young Adult Catholic Outreach in U.S. Military BY TAYLOR HENRY
(ADULTS LEFT TO RIGHT) SSGT MARCO ESPINDOLA, BLANCA ESPIDONLA, CASEY LEE, TSGT NATHANIEL HOMES, AND JESSICA HOLMES AT WHITEMAN AFB, MO.
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he Our Sunday Visitor (OSV) Institute of Huntington, IN, has awarded a $23,940 grant to the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA (AMS), for the purpose of training young adult leaders to evangelize their nonpracticing Catholic peers at U.S. Military installations. The grant will make it possible for the AMS to expand a pilot initiative it launched 18 months ago in partnership with Reach More™, an online coaching and training system of the Evangelical Catholic, a nonprofit agency specializing in Catholic ministry consulting and evangelization training.
The AMS and the Evangelical Catholic introduced the Reach More training beginning in August 2018 at five military installations: Marine Corps installations: Camp Pendleton and Twentynine Palms in California and Camp Hansen on Okinawa, Japan; Osan Air Base in South Korea, and Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in Hawaii. Thanks to the OSV grant, the Archdiocese will be
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able to add Reach More training at another five installations, including U.S. Army Garrison Grafenwoehr and Spangdahlem Air Base in Germany. His Excellency, the Most Reverend Timothy P. Broglio, Archbishop for the Military Services, expressed his appreciation to the OSV Institute: “Evangelization of the young adults entrusted to the spiritual care of the AMS is of primary importance. They represent our peripheries. I am deeply grateful to Our Sunday Visitor Institute for this important assistance. I know that it will make an important difference.” Ms. Casey Lee, AMS Associate Director for Young Adult Ministry, said the expansion is already in progress, with Reach More training now underway at Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri and Naval Station Norfolk in Virginia. So far, she said, approximately 40 service members and spouses have become involved with the training across seven installations. With Reach More, Ms. Lee said, the AMS hopes to achieve the goal of making military young adult Catholic leaders “fishers of men and women,” equipping them with skills to bring their non-church-going peers into small Catholic faith groups. Reach More leaders have access to online resources and a weekly phone call with a coach who provides insights, encouragement, and suggestions to navigate obstacles. “The greatest gift the Reach More online coaching system has provided,” Ms. Lee said, “is formation in evangelization for young adults who are trying to reach out to their peers. The preparation the young adult leaders are investing in is helping them go out and find young adults, not normally participating in church activities, and invite and engage them in a meaningful way to know the love and mercy of Jesus Christ. Several of the young adults involved in the Reach More small group training have noted that they have begun to find new authentic spiritual friendships, and this appears to fuel their desire to invite others into the same experience—they seem to be motivated by that more than just promoting program events and gatherings.” Anyone wanting more information on the AMS Reach More training may contact Ms. Lee at youngadultministry@milarch.org or visit https://www.milarch.org/reach-more/. V
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marriage enrichmen
Catholic Military Couples Gather in Assisi, Italy, for Marriage Enrichment Retreat
Dr. Mark Moitoza, Th.D., AMS Vice-Chancellor for Evangelization, said the retreat was meant to give military couples “an opportunity to step away from their busy lives, where they are constantly moving forward, to have an opportunity to reflect on the gift of love in their life, and the gift of Christ in their marriage.” He added, “It’s a way to look at marriage as a process, look at intimacy, look at compatibility, communication, and commitment. Those are the areas of focus, where couples have an opportunity over the weekend to dialogue with one another.”
The couples traveled hundreds of miles across Europe to central Italy’s Umbria region for the retreat, all the way from U.S. Army garrisons at Vilseck, Grafenwoehr, Stuttgart, Wiesbaden, and Rehinland-Pfalz in Germany, and Aviano Air Base, Vicenza, and Naval Air Station Sigonella in Italy. They spent the three days in prayer, group sessions, and dialogue, using the REFOCCUS Marriage Enrichment Inventory, a program developed by FOCCUS, Inc. USA,
Twenty Catholic couples based at U.S. Military installations throughout Germany and Italy spent the weekend of 6-8 December 2019 in the hometown of Saint Francis of Assisi on a Marriage Enrichment Retreat sponsored by the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA (AMS). The retreat took place on a sunny hillside in Palazzo di Assisi, about an eight-minute drive from the center of town, at the local Diocesan Retreat Center, known as Villa Santa Tecla.
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BY TAYLOR HENRY
of the Archdiocese of Omaha. FOCCUS stands for “Facilitate Open Couple Communication Understanding and Study.” His Excellency, the Most Reverend Timothy P. Broglio, Archbishop for the Military Services, commented on the experience: “The beautiful and peaceful backdrop of Assisi was the perfect environment for this experience, enriched also by a meeting with the local Archbishop-Bishop, the Most Reverend Dominico Sorrentino, with whom I have a long friendship.” In post-retreat evaluations, the couples said the encounter gave them fresh ideas for how to strengthen their marriages: Typical of the comments were these:
• “My wife and I discussed hard topics that we couldn’t at home without conflict.”
• “Realizing that we are on the same page has been really
exciting for me. I recognized the need to be consistent about taking time to reconnect.” (continued on page 32) ARCHBISHOP TIMOTHY BROGLIO (CENTER) CHATS WITH CATHOLIC U.S. MILITARY COUPLES DURING THE MARRIAGE ENRICHMENT RETREAT IN PALAZZO DI ASSISI, ITALY, ON 7 DECEMBER 2019.
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marriage enrichmen
...continued from page 31
• “We had time to recognize how far we have come
spiritually and growing together along with areas for improvement which shouldn’t take away from progress made already.”
• “It was great being alone with my husband and
focusing only on us. I have a renewed commitment to my marriage and to prayer.”
• “I am walking away with the recognition of how important it is to have God in our relationship.”
The Marriage Enrichment Retreat in Assisi was the fourth of its kind the AMS has sponsored for Catholic military couples over the past two years, and the first ever held in Europe. Fresh from his ad limina visit with Pope Francis at the Vatican in early December, Archbishop Broglio came from Rome to take part in the retreat and celebrate Mass with participating couples. Mr. Madison R. Hayes, a seminarian in formation for priesthood and possible military chaplaincy at the Pontifical North American College in Rome, led the couples in song throughout the weekend. The couples spent an afternoon exploring the village where Saint Francis once preached to all God’s creatures, lived a life of evangelical poverty, and founded the Franciscan Order. In a sign of the importance he places on the vocation of marriage, particularly within the transient military lifestyle, Archbishop Broglio has written on the topic and participated in all three previous AMS Marriage Enrichment Retreats, which were held in 2018 in Marriottsville, MD, and Alhambra, CA, and in 2019 in San Angelo, TX. “Marriage is indeed a union most sacred and serious,” Archbishop Broglio wrote in a 2010 article, Married Couples and the Challenge of Extended Tours, Financial Pressures, and Reentry into the Family After Military Service. “It is a wonderful gift to the Church and to society. Like all precious gifts it must be cared for, supported, and sustained.” V
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Forming Catechists to be Missionary Disciples
BY JOSÉ AMAYA
CATECHISTS SHARING THE FAITH AT USAG VICENZA THROUGH A PIECE OF ART.
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he Catechism of the Catholic Church invites catechists to encounter Jesus Christ at the heart of catechesis (CCC 426), to teach “Christ, the Incarnate Word and Son of God” (CCC 427) and to seek to know Jesus Christ in order to proclaim him (CCC 429) to all
(Matthew 28:19-20). The catechists’ mission to teach the Catholic faith is rooted in baptism and nurtured by active participation in the sacramental life of the Church, an intimate prayer life with Sacred Scriptures and Holy Tradition. (continued on page 34) Spring 2020
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Forming Catechists In 2019, the number of catechists receiving AMS catechist training increased through online and onsite training. The online initiatives include 122 catechists completing 172 courses through the University of Dayton’s Virtual Learning Community for Faith Formation and 19 catechists completing 20 courses through Catholic Distance University. On-site trainings offered at 23 locations throughout this global Archdiocese engaged 362 people. A total of 339 AMS Catechist Certifications were granted this past year. During the first two months of 2020, 123 people participated in catechist trainings. An invitation from Father John Gabriel at USAG Stuttgart developed into a series of six trainings throughout Europe in February including: RAF Lakenheath, USAG Stuttgart, NAS Sigonella, USAG Ansbach, JFC Brunssum and USAG Vicenza. Together participants learned the AMS vision for catechesis and how to develop effective lesson plans. They made their own lesson plans
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with tools and resources developed over the years to support catechist in the classroom and parents at home, to include the AMS Family Faith Assessment. Among the 90 people trained overseas were Government Service Directors of Religious Education (GSDRE); Dr. Rebecca Powell, Dr. Grace Yeuell, John Mark Edwards, Myoungjin Lee, and Katherine McMath-Dorman. A word of thanks for their support and participation towards certification training for the CEU’s. The Catholic priest is the Director of Religious Education for all Catholic faith programming at the Chapel. Participation of the Catholic priest during the training is key to implementing the vision for catechesis successfully. Their presence inspires and motivates catechists. Father Leo Moras, USAG Ansbach, took the training held at USAG Stuttgart as a retreat with the catechists. Father George Okoth, USAG Vicenza, encouraged catechists by paraphrasing the words of the saint: “with you I am a Christian, for you I am a priest.”
It is a blessing to witness the joy that priests find in ministering the sacraments and accompanying the faithful in the call to holiness. In some locations the training concluded with the celebration of Mass and a blessing for the catechists. In other locations the priest led those trained in prayer.
Let us pray for our priests and ask the Lord to send more priests to the vineyard. We express a word of gratitude and God’s blessing to the missionary disciples who work tirelessly with the logistics behind the scenes and those who pray for catechists and their families. V
JOSÉ AMAYA (FRONT LEFT), FATHER ARKADIUSZ ADAM SZYDA (RIGHT, FIRST ROW), AND MS. KITTY EISENBEIL, CRE (RIGHT, SECOND ROW) WITH CATECHISTS AT RAF LAKENHEATH AFTER COMPLETING CERTIFICATION TRAINING.
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20Annual th
Father Pat O’Malley Invitational Basketball Tournament 17 - 19 January 2020 Mundelein Seminary
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BY ARMY CHAPLAIN CANDIDATE (CPT) COLIN PATRICK
E
very January, Catholic seminarians studying for the priesthood gather at the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary for a weekend of worship, prayer, fraternity, and basketball. This year’s tournament welcomed 16 seminarian basketball teams who travelled to Mundelein, IL to participate in bracket play. While all were competing for the prized championship trophy, the real focus of the weekend was on Christ. In order to keep “eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and perfecter of faith” (Hebrews 12:2), teams gathered each morning to celebrate Mass in the Immaculate Conception Chapel. Following morning Mass, seminarians traversed the hallowed, snow covered grounds of Mundelein’s campus to the gymnasium where basketball
games would continue throughout the day until late at night. Though against one another on the court “of friendly strife”, the seeds of unity were sown between brothers who share in a common call to the priesthood and love for Jesus Christ. Among these brothers were a handful of men who have a “vocation within a vocation,” – those called to carry out priestly ministry in the context of military chaplaincy. The annual Father O’Malley Mundelein Basketball Tournament would not be possible without the sponsorship and support from State of Illinois Knights of Columbus. Their support for this event is one example of the many ways in which Knights of Columbus Councils support men in priestly formation. (continued on page 41
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Divine Mercy University Offers Tuition Reduction to the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA BY MARK MOITOZA, Th.D.
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A
t the beginning of 2020, the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA (AMS) and Divine Mercy University (DMU) announced an exciting partnership to provide financial support to chaplains and laity who desire to provide mental health services for military personnel and their families. DMU now offers tuition reductions to members of the AMS to pursue online psychology and counseling degree programs. This new collaboration with Divine Mercy University emphasizes the importance of sustaining the particular pastoral needs for those serving in the military. The focus on psychological and spiritual healing, through the lens of our Catholic tradition, promotes both individual and communal growth. Extending tuition discounts prepares men and women who understand the culture of military life to care for those in need. Through compassion, experience, and knowledge they will serve to bridge the multiple experiences of alienation caused by trauma. The Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, is grateful to the Divine Mercy University staff and donors who generously support these crucial efforts. According to the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs website, “More than 1.7 million Veterans received treatment in a VA mental health specialty program in fiscal year 2018.� The National Alliance on Mental Illness website cites a study, published by the American Medical Association, that shows the rate of PTSD for active-duty service members 15 times higher than civilians and the rate of depression five times higher. Furthermore, the 2019 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report shows that out of 45,390 American adults who died from suicide in 2017, 6,139 (almost 14%) were U.S. veterans. (continued on page 40)
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Divine Mercy
continued from page 39
“Our mission at DMU is to educate the general public about mental health and train students who are passionate about helping heal the wounds of those living with a trauma or another emotional or mental struggle,” said Father Charles Sikorsky, L.C., J.D., J.C.L., president of DMU. “This partnership with the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, is an attempt to provide the necessary resources for active and non-active service members to flourish after serving our great country. By increasing access to our online degree programs to chaplains and laity who come in regular contact with veterans, we are one step closer to satisfying the great need for mental health care across the world.” In addition to tuition reduction available through this partnership, all degree programs offered at Divine Mercy University have been approved for: l Veterans Educational Benefits l GI Bill Funding Eligibility l Yellow Ribbon Enhancement Program *Please note these reductions do not include workshops or programs offered by the Center for Trauma and Resiliency Studies or the Spiritual Direction Certificate Program. V For additional information on the partnership and how to apply to receive the tuition reduction with Divine Mercy University, contact the DMU Admissions Representatives at 703-416-1441 or admissions@divinemercy.edu.
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Basketball Tournament
The Archdiocese for the Military Sevices, USA, along with other dioceses from across the country, is indebted to these councils who give so generously. Please continue to keep these men in prayer as the Church, under the
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inspiration of the Holy Spirit, seeks to form holy, healthy, and happy priests of Jesus Christ. And may the good Lord call some of these men to minister to service men and women in the U.S. Armed Forces as military chaplains. V
CO-SPONSOORED SEMINARIANS: (L-R) BRIAN JACOBSON,, DIOCESE OF KANSAS CITY; DAVID CAMPO, ARCHDIOCESE OF BOSTON; REVEREND MR. DANIEL DUPLANTIS, DIOCESE OF HOUMATHIBODAUX; FATHER AIDAN LOGAN, OCSO; JOSHUA MILLER, DIOCESE OF FAIRBANKS; ZACH GLICK, DIOCESE OF GARY; COLIN PATRICK, ARCHDIOCESE OF ATLANTA, GA. STUDYING FOR MILITARY CHAPLAINCY GATHER WITH FATHER AIDAN LOGAN, OCSO, VOCATIONS DIRECTOR FOR THE ARCHDIOCESE FOR THE MILITARY SERVICES, USA.
About the Author
Army Chaplain Candidate (CPT) Colin Patrick is a Co-Sponsored Seminarian of the Archdiocese of Atlanta in his first year of pretheology at Mundelein Seminary, Mundelein, IL. He is a 2012 graduate of the United States Military Academy, West Point, and deployed to Afghanistan in 2014 with the Second Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division. He is a great driver.
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Moral Injury and Sacramental Healing BY MARK MOITOZA, Th.D.
Everyone knows that war can wreck the body, but repeatedly forget that it can wreck the soul as well.1 - Dr. Jonathan Shay
1 Jonathan Shay, Odysseus in America: Combat Trauma and
the Trials of Homecoming (New York: Scribner, 2002), 33.
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Moral Injury
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he frequently quoted image of a field hospital mentioned by Pope Francis during an interview at the beginning of his pontificate in 2013, evokes the need for healing. The Holy Father continually reminds the faithful to reach out to the wounded. “The thing that the church needs most today is the ability to heal wounds and to warm the hearts of the faithful; it needs nearness, proximity. I see the church as a field hospital after battle.” 2 Two years later, Pope Francis highlighted the needs of military personnel while addressing military chaplains in Rome. “Many soldiers return home with real inner wounds after military operations or peace-keeping missions. War can leave an indelible mark on them. In fact war always leaves an indelible mark. … These people and their families need special pastoral attention and solicitude that enables them to feel the Church’s motherly closeness.” 3 Much has been written in the past decade about the invisible wounds of war, especially post-traumatic stress and, more recently, moral injury. Too often, however, those suffering these invisible wounds are isolated from the community. The faithful must become better acquainted with these indelible marks of war, which require renewed personal, spiritual, and communal relationships. At the same time, civilians must come to terms with the partial culpability they bear for the wars fought on their behalf. Healing, therefore, is needed for the whole community, which ought to bear the burden of our war and our suffering together.
2 Anthony Spadaro, “A Big Heart Open to God,” America 209, no.
8 (September 30, 2013), 14–38, https://dbproxy.lasalle.edu:6033/ docview/1435636825?accountid=11999, accessed September 4, 2017.
3 Vatican website. “Address of His Holiness Pope Francis In the Fourth Course
for the Formation of Military Chaplains on International Humanitarian Law promoted by the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace” October 26, 2015, accessed January 4, 2016.
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Two prevailing definitions of moral injury are frequently cited. In 2009, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs came to recognize the term through the contributions of clinical psychiatrist Jonathan Shay. Working with veterans for over twenty years Shay was reminded of the war-induced psychological trauma found in Greek tragedies. He felt that many in the military were dealing with psychological injuries. In coining the term moral injury, Shay sought to acknowledge the devastating impact of betrayal. Moral injury therefore, according to Shay, has three components: “(1) there has been a betrayal of what’s right (2) by someone who holds legitimate authority (3) in a high-stakes situation. When all three are present, moral injury is present and the body codes it in much the same way it codes physical attack.” 4 In this definition, Shay recognizes the influence of the military command structure. Those who follow orders perceive how their commander applies his or her moral authority, which affects the morality of the entire unit. A second definition of moral injury, which Shay describes as a different flavor, was developed by Brett Litz and his colleagues, who also had extensive experience working with veterans. Their definition also has three components, but the second component focuses on personal transgression against one’s own moral beliefs: “Moral injury is (1) when someone ‘betrays what’s right’ and (2) the violator is the self (3) in a high-stakes situation.” 5 Moral injury can occur by one’s own action or failure to act, or even due to seeing something happen that goes against what one believes, resulting in (continued on page 46)
4 Jonathan Shay, “Causalities,” Daedalus 140, no. 3 (Summer 2011): 183. 5 Shay, “Causalities,” 183.
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Moral Injury
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feelings of guilt, shame, and alienation. While these reactions are different from the experiences typically associated with PTSD there can be some overlapping feelings such as anger, avoidance, anxiety, and depression, which may be present in both. PTSD can result from traumatic events that inflict injury upon an individual overturning basic assumptions about the world and their own sense of safety. It is vital to note that not everyone who deploys returns with PTSD or Moral Injury. The devastating effect of witnessing the evil that humanity inflicts upon one another can, however, take an enormous psychological and spiritual toll. Too often, the Church defers and refers returning veterans to medical and psychological professionals. Certainly, these referrals are needed in many instances, but they are not the only answer. Moral Injury also needs the language of theology to explore the impact of estrangement caused by sin and suffering. The Church is well positioned to extend needed pastoral care to returning veterans and their families. This care is given through listening without judging, accompanying another through challenging experiences, and the frequent celebration of the healing sacraments. The Holy Father’s call to become missionary disciples who reach out to the peripheries includes those who experience isolation after returning home from war. 6 We must reach out and accompany our brothers and sisters.
6 Evangelii Gaudium: Apostolic Exhortation on the Proclamation of the Gospel
in Today’s World (24 November 2013). Available at: w2.vatican.va/content/ francesco/en/apost_exhortations/documents/papa-francesco_esortazioneap_20131124_evangelii-gaudium.html (APR, 2017), “In virtue of their baptism, all of the People of God have become missionary disciples, (cf. Mt 28;19). All the baptized, whatever their position in the Church or their level of instruction in the faith, are agents of evangelization”: (#120).
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Communal celebrations of the healing sacraments with returning veterans offers a healing that renews minds, bodies, and souls in need. Bridging the Holy Father’s two expressions, the need for a healing Church and the call to accompany pastorally those returning from war, create indispensable paths toward renewed relationships. A community of sinners that welcomes the wounded soul back home fosters healing among veterans and civilians together. The process helps returning veterans and the parish community to overcome isolation by focusing upon rebuilding their relationships with God and one another, through the gift of grace. V
NOTE: Dr. Mark Moitoza provided a one hour seminar on Moral Injury during the Mid-Atlantic Conference held 30 January to 1 February at the Hilton Baltimore Hotel. If you are interested in viewing this presentation visit this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXuGPVQ_YIo&t=150s
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48 NON PROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE PAID SOMD PERMIT #1169
“May the Risen Lord fill your hearts with the serenity that only He can offer. Let us continue to support one another in prayer.” – Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio
“Serving Those Who Serve”
P.O. Box 4469 Washington, D.C. 20017-0469
Archdiocese For The Military Services, USA