US Army to Reexamine Canceled Chapel Contracts
Archbishop Timothy Broglio of the Archdiocese of the Military Services, USA, criticized the cancellations of chapel contracts for religious educators, administrators and musicians. He wrote in a letter to Congress that the contracts were essential to assisting Catholic priest chaplains in their duties.
The U.S. Army is reexamining canceled religious contracts after Archbishop Timothy Broglio of the Archdiocese of the Military Services, USA, lamented that cuts strained Catholic ministry to the armed forces.
Archbishop Broglio criticized the cancellations of chapel contracts for religious educators, administrators and musicians. He wrote in a letter to Congress that the contracts were essential to assisting Catholic priest chaplains in their duties.
A March memorandum by the U.S. Army Installation Management Command directed the cancellation of the chapel contracts, Broglio said. In his Oct. 17 letter, the archbishop wrote that he was assured directors of religious education and religious affairs specialists would “cover down” on the work of contractors, but “that has not happened” and is “impossible” because there are no requirements for workers on those contracts to be Catholic or have catechetical training.
Archbishop Broglio said Catholics are disproportionately affected because only 137 of the over 2,500 Army chaplains are Catholic, despite Catholics accounting for about 20% of soldiers.
Four days after Archbishop Broglio published the letter, a spokesperson for the Army told CNA that the Army will be reexamining its contract support for directors of religious education and religious affairs specialists “to mitigate any potential impact during this period.“
“These roles are vital in supporting the spiritual well-being of our community,” the spokesperson said on Oct. 21.
“The Army remains deeply committed to providing for the religious needs of all personnel, regardless of their faith background,” the statement continued. “We recognize the importance of religious support in maintaining morale, fostering resilience, and promoting the overall well-being of our force.”
The spokesperson added: “The Army is committed to ensuring the continued provision of comprehensive religious support for all our service members and their families.”
The Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, did not immediately reply to a request for comment.
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