Archdiocese does not endorse third-party subcontractors
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a policy clarification issued on Wednesday, the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA (AMS), reiterated that it does not generally endorse civilian priests under third-party contract to serve Catholic communities in the U.S. Military. The Archdiocese does, however, endorse qualified priests to serve under direct contract with a military installation. The U.S. Military requires AMS endorsement for any Catholic priest to perform ministry and pastoral service to the military population. The policy clarification was issued by His Excellency, the Most Reverend Timothy P. Broglio, J.C.D., Archbishop for the Military Services, in response to a request by the offices of the three Chiefs of Chaplains.
Here follows the text of the policy clarification issued by Archbishop Broglio:
Given the shortage of active-duty priests available to assume all of the needs of the men and women in the Armed Forces and their families, contracts are frequently offered to civilian priests who, with the permission of their respective Ordinaries, are able to serve.
In order to apply for a contract, a Catholic priest must have the endorsement of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA (AMS). It is the policy of the AMS to grant endorsements only to those priests who will be contracting directly with the contracting office of a military installation. The AMS will not endorse a priest who is subcontracted by a third-party contractor who in fact holds the contract.
In the presence of a serious need in some more remote location, a waiver may be considered on an ad-hoc basis.
Particular arrangements already established with a religious community or a Catholic diocese are not altered by the present policy clarification.
This policy now forms part of the “Minimum Requirements for the Pastoral Care of Catholic Personnel” (20 June 2008).
Given in Washington, DC at the Edwin Cardinal O’Brien Pastoral Center on 25 February 2015.
Most Reverend Timothy P. Broglio
Archbishop for the Military Services, USA
Any questions about the policy may be directed to the office of the AMS Chancellor, Deacon Mike Yakir, at chancellor@milarch.org, or the Director of Contract Priests, Father Greg Caiazzo, at contracts@milarch.org. Both can also be reached through the AMS switchboard at (202) 719-3600.
