Father Redmond M. Raux, a retired U.S. Air Force Chaplain, to assume position
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Father Redmond M. Raux, V.F., Ch, Lt Col, USAF, Ret, has been appointed Spiritual Moderator for the Military Council of Catholic Women in Europe(MCCW-Europe). MCCW-Europe is a regional branch of the Military Council of Catholic Women (MCCW), a non-profit organization incorporated by the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA (AMS) to unite women of the archdiocese under a single service organization.
The Most Reverend Timothy P. Broglio, J.C.D., Archbishop for the U.S. Military Services, announced his appointment of the Very Reverend Redmond Raux, V.F. today. As Spiritual Moderator, Father Raux will be the archbishop’s chief representative for coordinating efforts between MCCW and Catholic U.S. military chaplains stationed throughout Europe to create, structure, and execute spiritual events and activities such as conferences, retreats, days of prayer, and Advent or Lenten reconciliation services.
Archbishop Broglio said:
“I am very grateful that this fine priest, who already serves as the Dean for Europe, has agreed to assume these additional responsibilities. Father Raux brings wonderful experience and great zeal to this important task. MCCW has enriched our communities in the past and I know that these dedicated women will continue to do so in the future.”
Father Raux said:
“The MCCW gathers at bases throughout the world in Bible studies and support groups to maintain and build spiritual health in their lives and in their families. This is a wonderful opportunity to assist in providing opportunities for the strengthening and building of strong spiritual bonds as Catholic Women of the Chapel. It is an honor to accept the Archbishop’s appointment and I look forward to working with other chaplains and the MCCW to meet these goals.”
The retired chaplain currently serves as an auxiliary priest at the 86th Airlift Wing, Ramstein Air Base, Germany. Now a General Schedule (GS) civil service employee of the Department of Defense (DoD), Father Raux helps manage the Catholic religious program at Ramstein and the Vogelweh Military Complex, assisting the Wing Chaplain and Senior Catholic Chaplain in carrying out the Chaplain Corps’ mission of ministry to Catholic personnel. Since August 2012, he has also served as Archbishop Broglio’s Vicar Forane for Europe.
Father Raux earned his Master of Divinity in 1982 from St. John’s Seminary in Boston, Mass. While in seminary, he was commissioned a U.S. Air Force Chaplain Candidate, Second Lieutenant, launching a military career that has spanned more than 35 years. In 1984, upon earning a commission as Chaplain, First Lieutenant, he went on to complete tours in the reserves and the Air National Guard in addition to serving more than 20 years on active duty. Father Raux has served everywhere from the Pentagon to Hanscom Field in Massachusetts; Luke Air Force Base(AFB) in Arizona; Barksdale AFB in Louisiana; F.E. Warren AFB in Wyoming; Langley AFB in Virginia; Lajes Field in the Azores, Portugal; Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia; Kirkuk Regional Air Base in Iraq; and Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan. Father Raux completed educational programs at Squadron Officer School, Air Command and Staff College, and Air War College, and he earned more than a dozen decorations, including: the Defense Meritorious Service Medal; Meritorious Service Medal with seven oak leaf clusters; Joint Service Commendation Medal; Air Force Commendation Medal with two bronze oak leaf clusters; and the Air Force Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster.
MCCW President Elizabeth Tomlin said:
“MCCW began its ministry in Europe in 1955, and I am very happy that AMS, with Father Raux as our Spiritual Moderator, will continue to foster the development of MCCW throughout Europe as we enter our sixtieth year of serving military chapel communities. MCCW is grateful for Father Raux’s career of service, and we look forward to working with him as Spiritual Moderator, especially as we prepare for our European Regional Retreat from April 30th to May 3rd, 2015.”
MCCW-Europe Regional Coordinator Jane Gottardi said:
“On behalf of the Catholic Women of our military chapels here in Europe we welcome Father Raux as our Spiritual Moderator. Our European Region is blessed to have his support. He is a true shepherd who understands and supports the unique lives we live as military spouses, active duty soldiers and civilians. We all need to give at the level of the heart and Father Raux lives this. We look forward to working with him.”
