Joshua Bennett
There is a global shortage of Catholic military chaplains, with a particular deficit in the US Army, Navy, and Air Force. Military chaplains are commissioned army officers who are responsible for the pastoral care of service members and their families, as well as civilian government employees and their families. The specific number of Catholic chaplains in the military is unclear, but sources indicate that there are fewer than 200 active-duty Catholic chaplains in the US military, serving over 1.8 million Catholics. This shortage is attributed to a national decline in priests, with many Catholic bishops needing priests in their dioceses and unwilling to let them enter military service. The unique requirements of Catholic worship, which necessitates the presence of a priest, further exacerbates the issue.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of Catholics in the U.S. military | 20% |
| Percentage of Catholic military chaplains | 8% |
| Number of priests on active duty in 2017 | 208 |
| Number of people served by the priests in 2017 | 1.8 million |
| Number of active-duty Catholic chaplains 20 years ago | Over 400 |
| Number of active-duty Catholic chaplains in 2021 | Fewer than 200 |
| Number of Catholic chaplains who have received the Medal of Honor since the Civil War | 5 |
| Number of Catholic chaplains recognized for bravery in the line of duty | 4 |
| Number of U.S. Navy ships named in honor of Catholic chaplains | 4 |
| Number of states with chaplains assigned to State Defense Forces | 20 |
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What You'll Learn
The US military has a shortage of Catholic chaplains
According to Catholic Archbishop Timothy Broglio, Catholics make up about 20% of the US military, but only 8% of military chaplains. This imbalance could have serious consequences. In his piece “Catholic Coverage on Military Installations,” Broglio highlights the potential for a diminishment of First Amendment privileges and the creation of “a separate but equal system for meeting the needs of Catholic members of the Armed Forces.”
The shortage of Catholic chaplains in the US military is not a new issue. In 2013, it was reported that the number of active-duty Catholic chaplains had more than halved in the past 20 years, decreasing from over 400 to fewer than 200. This shortage can disrupt the lives of Catholic service members, as it affects their access to religious services and rites.
To address this issue, Broglio and others have proposed solutions to increase the number of Catholic clergy serving in the armed forces. In 2020, a controversy arose in San Diego when Naval officials considered not renewing the contracts of civilian Catholic priests who conducted Mass at naval bases due to cost-cutting concerns. This decision would have effectively ended Catholic Masses at these naval bases. However, after pushback from the Archdiocese for the Military Services (AMS), the administration reinstated the contract.
The AMS, headed by Archbishop Timothy Broglio, plays a crucial role in endorsing Catholic priests to minister in the US Armed Forces. It has jurisdiction over Catholics on all US government property in the US and abroad. The AMS is committed to ensuring that Catholic service members, veterans, and their families receive the pastoral care to which they are entitled by the First Amendment of the US Constitution.
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The Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA (AMS)
To ensure that these Catholics receive the pastoral care to which they are entitled by the First Amendment of the US Constitution, the AMS is the sole organisation recognised under US law and by the Department of Defense to endorse Catholic priests to minister in the US Armed Forces and the Department of Veterans Affairs.
The vocation of a military chaplain is a unique calling. Chaplains offer spiritual solace and guidance to soldiers, providing prayers and comfort in the midst of battle. They bring God's blessings to those who defend and protect, embodying the fusion of faith and valour. Military chaplains have played a significant role in various conflicts, including World War I, World War II, the Korean War, and the Iraq War. Their bravery and dedication have been recognised through decorations, medals of honour, and even ships named in their honour.
The AMS is led by an archbishop appointed by the Pope. The first archbishop of the AMS was Reverend Joseph T. Ryan, appointed in 1975 as coadjutor bishop to assist Terence Cooke, who was then the head of the military diocese. Ryan became the first archbishop of the AMS in 1986 when Pope John Paul II established a separate archdiocese for military services. The current archbishop, appointed in 2007, is Archbishop Timothy Broglio.
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Military chaplains wear combat uniforms
Military chaplains are ordained clergy who serve as spiritual leaders and advisors to members of the armed forces. They are expected to wear uniforms that reflect their role and rank within the military, including service uniforms, combat uniforms, work uniforms, and dress uniforms. The specific uniform worn depends on the branch of service and the occasion.
In the Army, chaplains typically wear the Army Combat Uniform (ACU) with a chaplain's insignia on the sleeve. This uniform is designed for combat zones and field training exercises. When not in combat situations, chaplains may wear the standard Army Service Uniform, which is typically worn for daily duties and tasks. For more formal events and ceremonies, chaplains don the Army Dress Uniform.
Navy chaplains have a similar dress code, wearing the Navy Working Uniform (NWU) with a chaplain's insignia for everyday tasks and the Navy Dress Uniform for more formal occasions. In the Air Force, chaplains wear the Airman Battle Uniform (ABU) in combat zones and the Air Force Dress Uniform for formal events.
The practice of chaplains wearing military uniforms dates back to at least the 19th century, with Roman Catholic chaplains in the Argentine armed forces wearing officers' uniforms and ranks since the 1800s. However, in the 1970s, there were allegations of chaplains abusing their military positions, leading to a discontinuation of the use of rank insignia in some countries.
Today, while chaplains continue to wear combat uniforms when accompanying troops in the field, they typically do not bear rank insignia. This practice helps to establish a sense of equality and accessibility, ensuring that service members of all faiths or lack thereof feel comfortable seeking spiritual support.
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Military chaplains in the Australian Defence Force (ADF)
Military chaplains have long been a part of the Australian Defence Force (ADF), providing spiritual and pastoral care to its members. Chaplains in the ADF are commissioned officers and wear the uniform of their respective branch of service, including the Australian Army and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). They are also given rank qualifications, typically beginning their commission as a Captain in the Army or a Flight Lieutenant in the RAAF.
The role of a chaplain in the ADF is diverse and vital to the wellbeing of defence force members and their families. Chaplains offer a listening ear and provide spiritual guidance, helping individuals explore their belief systems and find confidence in times of uncertainty. Their presence serves as a reminder of the privilege of serving one's nation and offers emotional support in challenging situations.
In the ADF, chaplains come from various Christian denominations, including Catholic, Anglican, and Protestant faiths, as well as the Jewish faith. The heads of military chaplaincy for these denominations and the Jewish faith, if officially associated with the ADF, are members of the ADF's Religious Advisory Committee to the Services (RACS). The Catholic Principal Chaplain holds the title of Monsignor and is an episcopal vicar of the Catholic Diocese of the Australian Military Services. Meanwhile, the Anglican Principal Chaplain is appointed as the Archdeacon of the Army, holding the style of Venerable.
The Royal Australian Army Chaplains' Department (RAAChD) is the corps within the Australian Army responsible for providing ordained clergy to minister to army personnel. As of 2012, there were 67 serving regular chaplains, known as 'padres', in the full-time Australian Army, with an additional 83 chaplains in the Australian Army Reserve. RAAChD chaplains wear distinctive badges and insignia, with Christian chaplains displaying a Maltese cross and Jewish chaplains wearing the Star of David.
The role of military chaplains in the ADF reflects a global tradition of providing spiritual and emotional support to military personnel. Catholic chaplains, in particular, have a long history of serving in various armed forces worldwide, including in the United States, Ukraine, and Argentina.
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Military chaplains and the 'Don't ask, don't tell' policy
Military chaplains have played a significant role in providing spiritual and emotional support to service members. However, their role in the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy era of the US military has been controversial. The "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, implemented in 1994, allowed LGBTQ+ individuals to serve in the military as long as they kept their sexual orientation hidden. This policy was based on the assumption that the presence of openly LGBTQ+ individuals in the military would hinder unit cohesion and operational effectiveness. This assumption, however, was not supported by empirical evidence.
During this time, some military chaplains were complicit in upholding this discriminatory policy. There are reports of chaplains berating gay service members, telling them they were sick or going to hell, and even turning them in to their superiors, believing it was their duty to do so. This created an environment of fear and distrust among LGBTQ+ service members, who could not seek spiritual counsel or emotional support from chaplains without fear of being discharged.
On the other hand, there were also chaplains who spoke out against the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. They recognised the harm it was causing and advocated for change. The Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA (AMS), for example, is responsible for providing pastoral care to approximately 1.8 million Catholics in the US military and ensuring their First Amendment right to religious freedom.
In recent years, there has been a shift towards inclusivity, with the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy being repealed during the Obama administration. However, as evidenced by President Trump's attempts to ban transgender individuals from military service, the fight for full LGBTQ+ inclusion in the military is ongoing. Chaplains, as part of the military support system, play a crucial role in this ongoing battle for equality and non-discrimination.
While the exact number of Catholic chaplains in the military is not readily available, their presence is significant. Catholic chaplains, organised under the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, have a long history of serving in the US military. Their role extends beyond religious services and includes providing spiritual guidance and emotional support to service members and their families.
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Frequently asked questions
As of 2017, the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA (AMS) had 208 priests on active duty serving approximately 1.8 million service members, family members, and others. This number has changed over the years, with some sources noting a shortage of Catholic chaplains in the military.
Catholic chaplains in the military are responsible for conducting religious services and providing counseling for Catholic service members and their families. They also advise commanders on moral and ethical matters.
To become a Catholic chaplain in the military, one must be endorsed by a religious organization, such as the AMS, and meet the requirements set by the military, including specific training and qualifications.
