Dear Friends of the Archdiocese,

These lines are being composed on a plane speeding toward Dulles Airport at the end of several visits. You know how wonderful it is to spend time with the AMS faithful and also to make other related visits. However, there are many miles involved! At least this ight is due to arrive an hour early!

2023 began with gusto and it would appear that a very busy year is ahead for this global archdiocese and her people. You will read this issue just a er Easter Time when we are blessed to celebrate the victory of Christ over sin and death. Each day we try to make that victory more our own.

Unlike other parts of the Nation, winter has been benign in Washington, D.C. this year. Snow has been barely visible—which I am sure made life easier for the residents, but must have confounded the weather reporters who are usually so extreme in their descriptions.

Spring is in the air and always brings thoughts of Easter. e renewal of nature should also be a reminder of our continual need for authentic renewal. We want the presence of Christ to be ever more dominant in our hearts and in the world in which we live. Evangelization is the constant mission for a Catholic.

My travel schedule and that of the Auxiliary Bishops are busy. e Presidency of the USCCB has added a few more obligations to my agenda, but, thus far, I am managing.

is issue of Salute will update you on many activities undertaken by the AMS, speak a bit about Christmas visits, and introduce you to another cosponsored seminarian.

I hope that you will enjoy these pages. anking you for your continued support, I wish abundant blessings at Easter and always.

Sincerely in the Risen Lord,

e Most Reverend Timothy P. Broglio Archbishop

TABLE of CONTENTS

Christmas 2022

Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio

THE CHOSEN: Experiencing the Face of God

Bishop F. Richard Spencer e Circuit Driver Bishop

Bishop Neal J. Buckon

Another Day, Another Miracle

Bishop Bill Muhm

Unsung Heroes

Bishop Joseph Co ey e Harvest Continues

Meet Co-Sponsored Seminarian Joseph Heisey

Archbishop Broglio Leads U.S. Military Catholics on the March for Life

Taylor Henry

Preparing for the Year of Parish Revival e Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, publishes SALUTE for the nation’s Bishops, active and retired military chaplains, and nancial supporters of the Archdiocese.

Mark Moitoza, TH.D.

ADDRESS CHANGES AND NEW SUBSCRIPTIONS: Please send title, name, address and phone number to: support@milarch.org call 202.719.3600 orwrite: Advancement O ce, Archdiocese for the Military Services, P.O. Box 4469, Washington, D.C., USA 20017-0469. Feedback, letters to the editor: editor@milarch.org | Website: www.milarch.org

“Truly you have formed my inmost being; you knit me in my mother’s womb. I give you thanks that I am fearfully, wonderfully made; wonderful are your works.” – Psalm 139:13-14

28 April 2023

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Our Lord chose to o er salvation to the world by becoming en eshed in the womb of His mother, our Blessed Mother. Mary’s witness of carrying God incarnate communicates that human life is a gi to be praised, shared, and celebrated joyfully (see Lk 1:39).

In the genius of the divine detail, preserved through the writing of Saint Luke, God reminds us that even the preborn know Him. John the Baptist leapt in his mother’s womb at the arrival of our Lord. Blessed, indeed, was the fruit of Mary’s womb (Lk 1:41-42).

Jesus’ incarnation rea rms that human life truly is created in God’s image and likeness (Gen 1:26). Each human person is a treasure, uniquely formed and known by God (see Ps 139:14-16). Each life deserves to be protected and loved, at every stage, from conception to natural death.

God assumed the fullness of our humanity in order to o er us salvation. Authentic proclamation of the Gospel, therefore, demands the protection of all human life, for in this way, we profess that the very life of Jesus Christ, our Savior, which began in the womb, and ended on the cross, encompasses our lives as well. To deny the life of a baby in utero is to deny the Incarnation, and thus, the very source of our hope for salvation.

I write today deeply saddened that last week, in a 51-48 vote, the Senate let stand the Administration’s new Department of Veterans A airs’ rule that provides for abortion at Department of Veterans A airs medical centers in certain circumstances. In parallel, the Administration is also implementing a e policy and rule, now in e ect, are morally repugnant and incongruent with the Gospel which the faithful are commissioned to share throughout the world (Mt 28:19). Moreover, the new DOD policy and VA rule fail to incorporate basic conscience protections, thus creating First Amendment pitfalls for military commanders and VA employees.

Department of Defense policy which mandates federal funding for abortion travel and compels military commanders to authorize such undertakings.

With this letter, I implore the faithful of this Archdiocese to continue to advocate for human life and to refuse any participation in the evil of abortion. As Pope Francis instructs, our defense of the innocent unborn must be “clear, rm and passionate, for at stake is the dignity of a human life, which is always sacred and demands love for each person, regardless of his or her stage of development.”1 He has referred to the crime of abortion as hiring a hitman.

We must also be mindful of our Christian duty to exercise radical solidarity with mothers and families experiencing a challenging pregnancy. As Pope Francis further points out, the lives of the poor, those already born, the destitute, the abandoned and the underprivileged are “equally sacred.” We must see the face of Jesus in all people and accompany anyone considering abortion by making personal tithes to support those in need, and through advocacy for policies and programs directed toward building up the family and showing particular care for vulnerable people, such as immigrants and low-income families.

Finally, I also encourage wide participation in, and support for, compassionate, post-abortive healing ministries, such as Project Rachel, so that those who have experienced abortion may receive healing and spiritual renewal through Christ’s in nite mercy.

With renewed prayers for the protection of human life and in thanksgiving for your e orts to promote a culture of life throughout the world, I remain

Sincerely in Christ,

( e Most Reverend) Timothy P. Broglio, JCD Archbishop for the Military Services, USA

BY ARCHBISHOP TIMOTHY P. BROGLIO

WARSAW, THE RESIDENCE OF BISHOP WIESLAW LACHOWICZ, POLISH MILITARY ORDINARY. L-R: FATHER PAWEL PIONTEK, POLISH CHAPLAIN COORDINATING SUPPORT TO U.S. FORCES; BISHOP WIESLAW LACHOWICZ, POLISH MILITARY ORDINARY; ARCHBISHOP TIMOTHY P. BROGLIO; ARCHBISHOP SALVATORE PENNACCHIO, NUNCIO TO POLAND, AND FATHER JERZY RZASOWKSI.

My last contribution to Salute had me in the Houston airport on the way to Poland. When I nally arrived in Warsaw on 17 December, Father Jerzy Rzasowski escorted me to the residence of the Polish Military Bishop, the Most Reverend Wieslaw Lachowicz. Gathered there with him was the Apostolic Nuncio to Poland, the Most Reverend Salvatore Pennacchio (who was recently transferred back to Rome to be the President of the Ponti cal Ecclesiastical Academy, which trains priests for diplomatic service to the Holy See). Several priests also joined us for a festive meal.

I confess that I was pleased to see some snow on the ground. Having spent several Christmas holidays in the Middle East, the sight of snow was refreshing and more seasonal to my mind. It changes the atmosphere and reminded me of the Christmas celebrations at home in Cleveland.

As you can imagine, the lunch was abundant, the conversation in Italian and English was jovial, and the mood was festive. Late that a ernoon we made our way to the home of Archbishop Józef Guzdek, who had been the Military Ordinary prior to Bishop Lachowicz and now is the Archbishop of Białystok.

Finally, I was able to freshen up and to celebrate Mass for the third Saturday of Advent and the rst day of the Novena leading up to Christmas. e religious who keep house for the archbishop had prepared lovely Christmas decorations and a simple evening meal. As you can imagine, I was quite ready to sleep.

Father Rzasowski and I began a good drive the next day a er breakfast and reached the Army post at Pabrade in Lithuania. ere we celebrated Sunday Mass and spent a bit of time with the soldiers. Curiously, one of them contacted his ancée in the States, because she is a FOCUS missionary and was planning to be at SEEK in St. Louis where I was also scheduled to spend some time.

at night we made our way to Vilnius where we were to stay at the Nunciature. Archbishop Petar Rajic, who had been a colleague in the Secretariat of State, and I have met a few times in foreign capitals. He had been the Apostolic Nuncio in Kuwait and we met twice there.

He was a kind host and we were able to see some of the sights around the capital of Lithuania and also to engage with the Archbishop of Vilnius, the Most Reverend Gintaras Grusas, who was raised in the USA. He is also the Apostolic Administrator of the Lithuanian military diocese and the President of CCEE, the Council of Episcopal Conferences in Europe.

e next stop on this pastoral visit was fascinating and the highlights were many. Riga, Latvia is a charming old city. A young lieutenant, recently graduated from West Point, served as our driver and escort. ere was an opportunity to visit and to celebrate Mass at a NATO military installation Adazi. Catholic priests from Latvia, Slovakia, and Poland joined us for the occasion. A brief tour revealed a well-established presence. e Archbishop of Riga also joined us and then invited us for dinner the next night.

continued on page 8 ey were all convinced of their cause and eager to return to the ght. I was only more convinced about the senselessness of this war provoked by Russia. e plight of these wounded soldiers certainly intensi ed my prayers for peace with justice in Ukraine. Can we never learn? We had Mass a erwards at the Air Base in Llievarde. ere was an opportunity to visit Archbishop Stanislaw Gadecki, who is also the President of the Polish Bishops’ Conference. He surprised me with his English. I had expected to use what has become the lingua franca of the international Catholic Church, Italian. We had a good conversation about many topics. at celebration was in the Polish Church. I celebrated in Latin, but the readings, songs, and everything else were in Polish with the exception of a stunning rendition of O Holy Night by the daughter of the U.S. Garrison Chaplain. Of course, there was a little reception a er the Mass. Christmas night was short.

He is quite a scholar and I am enjoying his doctoral thesis, which has been published as a book. Restoring the faith in a nation a er years of communist domination is not easy. ere are also some mild tensions with the dominant Lutheran Church, as well.

A er a courtesy call to the U.S. Ambassador, H.E. John L. Carvile, we were able to visit a hospital where several Ukrainian soldiers were recovering from battle wounds. A few had lost legs and were hoping to obtain prostheses. While soldiers by de nition are young, one of these did not even look old enough to shave. It was good to chat with them. Some spoke English, but there was an interpreter for the others.

A er the Riga visits we drove back to Poland and stopped at the U.S. Bemowo Piskie training area for Mass and an opportunity to greet some of the soldiers.

On Christmas Eve we made our way to Poznan, a city that I had visited very brie y once before. e friendly pastor of the Polish Garrison parish welcomed us warmly and provided hospitality.

Back at the parish, it was time for the traditional Polish Christmas Eve banquet. It was delicious and abundant. Luckily, we began early enough so that there was time to rest before the Midnight Mass.

A er a private Christmas Mass at dawn, I made my way with Father Rzasowski to Camp Kosciuszko where we had the third Christmas Mass and a continued on page 10 festive Christmas dinner with the U.S. troops. I met some of the commanders and enjoyed several traditional dishes. We were moving down the home stretch of the rst part of my Christmas pastoral visit. A Jewish Rabbi, whom I met at Fort Riley in Kansas, was also present and animated our gathering with some notions about Hanukkah. e nal stop in Poland was the U.S. installation near Rzeszow, where Father Adolphus Muoghalu of the Archdiocese of New York met us. A very healthy community gathered for Mass and some conversation. e Protestant chaplain of the unit was very welcoming and anxious to facilitate this gathering on St. Stephen’s Day (26 December). e next day began a very interesting and important adventure. Father Rzasowki and I were ready for an early departure on my part, but our Ukrainian transportation waited an hour for fear of being too early! We met at the hotel at 8 a.m. for the drive to Lviv, Ukraine. e drive to Lviv was not long and we arrived in time for me to be installed in the guest accommodations at the student residence of the Catholic University of Ukraine. e rst hours were lled with lunch, a tour of the campus, and ducking in the protected areas under the campus during an air raid. Everyone was very calm, but I wondered how the next days would be and also re ected with great sympathy on the innocent who have been obliged to su er this experience every day for the last year. at evening the Rector of the Catholic University hosted a celebration in my honor at his residence. It was an opportunity to meet some of the local leadership. It was also a belated celebration of my birthday, complete with a number of lovely gi s and books about Ukraine. I did not realize how many gi s would be given to me in a very short time. e next morning began with a private Mass in the basement of the residence building. e surroundings were all from the Eastern Church, but I had a small missal and Latin Church vestments. e oldest soldier was 56 and the other two were younger. e grief of the family members, comrades at arms, and the general population was evident. e opportunity was a orded to me to o er condolences on behalf of U.S. Catholics, and someone translated my brief remarks into Ukrainian. e poignancy of the unnecessary tragedy was striking. e grief on the faces of the immediate families is forever etched on my heart.

Crossing the border was without di culty, but there was a very long line of vehicles waiting to leave Ukraine, and destruction wrought by the Russian invaders was soon evident.

We paid a courtesy visit to the local Greek Catholic Archbishop of the city and his auxiliary in the historic residence. I had been there once before on my rst visit to Lviv in about 1996. Our visit was short, but there was a moment to pray in the Cathedral and exchange impressions about the current reality.

I slept well that night, but with an ear attentive to a possible siren announcing a night raid by the aggressors. anks be to God, nothing came.

We went quickly to the Garrison Church of the Greek Catholics where there was a brief meeting with one of the Generals of the Ukrainian army and the presentation of a painting of the church. I ended up carrying the painting back to the States with my other carry-on luggage. e airlines were benevolent. Breakfast in a local restaurant followed and I mention it only because they had no power. Cooking the meal was quite an e ort, but they managed to assure that we were well-fed. e Ukrainian hospitality was overwhelming throughout my visit.

I met with the Catholic chaplains of the Ukrainian forces and then participated in the funeral of three soldiers killed during the war. at was tragic.

ARCHBISHOP TIMOTHY P. BROGLIO SIGNING THE GUEST BOOK AT THE RESIDENCE OF ARCHBISHOP STANISLAW continued on page 12

GADECKI, PRESIDENT OF THE POLISH BISHOPS’ CONFERENCE.

CONTINUED

AFTER THE MASS IN PABRADE, LITHUANIA JAS.

L-R: FATHER JERZY RZASOWSKI, CH YAPIAS, BATTALION CHAPLAIN, ARCHBISHOP TIMOTHY P. BROGLIO, WITH TWO SOLDIERS.

Our little group went on to the cemetery where we visited the graves of the victims of this war. en we stayed for the military honors and nal prayers. It was interesting that all of the military funerals for the area around Lviv are held at the Greek Catholic garrison church—regardless of the faith of the deceased. Of course, the Greek Catholic funeral prayer service would be identical to the liturgy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

We rushed back for a brief meeting with the mayor of Lviv who spoke to me about the su ering of the nation and put a rubber bracelet around my le arm. It is in Ukrainian colors (gold and blue) and has the word “unbroken” stamped on it. I have worn it since then as a reminder to pray for these besieged people and to pray for a just peace.

e pastor at the parish presented me with a shell from a bomb that had not exploded and introduced me to his community. e refugee children sang a song and warmed the hearts of all with their smiles. e Catholic Church has really responded to the immediate needs of the victims of war.

e next stop was to the Benedictine monastery where we prayed Vespers. Luckily, they pray in Latin and so I was able to participate actively.

continued on page 14

CONTINUED

FROM e next morning I joined the seminarians at the Ukrainian Catholic Seminary for a beautiful Mass. Luckily, they provided a book in English, but the chant and the Byzantine Liturgy were heavenly. At the end of Mass I addressed the seminary community in Italian and the Vice Rector translated my remarks into Ukrainian. I tried to be brief because I knew that only breakfast and my words stood between the students and the beginning of Christmas vacation (at that time they still celebrated Christmas on 7 January). e 36 hours in Kyiv were quite full. His Beatitude Sviatoslav Shevchuk, the Major Archbishop of Kyiv welcomed me warmly to his house and, a er changing into a house cassock I visited his cathedral and signed the missal. e custom in Ukraine is to have a visitor sign the altar missal. en I met with several chaplains to the Ukrainian Armed Forces. eir chief is a line o cer and not a chaplain. ey peppered me with questions about the chaplaincy to the U.S. Armed Forces. e next day was jam-packed with activities, beginning with Mass at the Apostolic Nunciature. I had been present at its dedication in 1996. e Nuncio spoke to us at length during breakfast. His comments about the war and the dire situation in the country were extremely interesting. e Prime Minister spoke about the needs of the country in the coming months. He addressed practical needs such as generators, the medical expertise of the U.S. with prostheses and their installation, and other similar concepts. continued on page 16 e next stop was the Latin Cathedral of Kyiv and a delightful visit with Bishop Vitalii Kryvytskyi and his young Auxiliary, Bishop Oleksandr Yazlovetskiy. ey made certain that I noticed the crack in the arch that had been erected decades ago as a sign of friendship between Ukraine and Russia. at relationship, however, is destroyed more than being merely “cracked”. e nal stop was to the o ces of the Greek Catholic Charities or Caritas. eir work, directed by a young woman who used to work for the USCCB, is rst rate. ey have responded to so many needs across the country and have spent the charitable donations from around the world very well. It was fascinating to listen to her narration.

In the evening I was able to spend time with the Latin Archbishop of Lviv, the Most Reverend Mieczyslaw Mokrzycki, who had been a secretary both to St. John Paul II and the late Pope Benedict XVI. We have been friends for a long time and spoke about both ponti s. At that date, 28 December, the late Pope Benedict was still alive, even though we knew it was only a matter of time.

A er years of Communist rule, their experience with military chaplaincy is somewhat limited. I do hope that I was able to o er them useful guidance.

From the Nunciature we went to the o ce of the Prime Minister and saw a bit of the downtown on the way. All public buildings are protected with sandbags and monuments have protection around them, as well.

However, the thrust of his conversation was about the need for healing, psychologists, and psychiatrists to guide the people from the grim experience of war to a more peaceful existence. He impressed all of us with his command of English.

Before the curfew arrived, we all piled into a small car and went to the train station where I took a spot in a sleeping car back to Lviv. is return was deemed the best use of time because traveling to Warsaw by car from Kyiv would have taken us too close to Belarus from which country most of the bombers depart. New Year’s Eve dawned as I arrived in Lviv, celebrated Mass, and had breakfast before departing for Warsaw by van. It would be a long ride punctuated by the driver’s smoke breaks and a stop for lunch.

I ew back to Washington via Frankfurt from Warsaw on New Year’s Day. I could not believe that I walked to the airport to check my bags without an overcoat. It was that mild in Warsaw on January 1st. ere would be much more to tell you, but I have already surpassed my allotted space. Pray for the liberation of Ukraine! V