Board of Directors of Father Vincent Capodanno Guild Holds Inaugural Meeting

New board adopts bylaws, elects officers for body set up to facilitate the process for Vietnam War priest-hero’s Cause for Sainthood

WASHINGTON, D.C.— The governing board of “The Father Vincent Capodanno Guild” held its inaugural meeting on Tuesday in Washington, D.C. The seven-member board adopted bylaws and elected officers to two-year terms. Capt. George Phillips, USMC (Ret.), was elected Chairman; Vice Adm. Thomas J. Kilcline, Jr., USN (Ret.), Vice-Chairman; and Mr. Bill Kurst, Treasurer.

The Father Vincent Capodanno Guild is a private Catholic Church association and not-for-profit corporation established to promote the Cause for Canonization of Father Vincent R. Capodanno, MM. Father Capodanno, a U.S. Navy Chaplain, was killed in action during the Vietnam War while anointing and aiding U.S. Marines in combat with the North Vietnamese army. Father Capodanno posthumously received the Congressional Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest military decoration.

Since his death on Sept 4, 1967, the story of Father Capodanno has become widely known. As his popularity became known, so also did his reputation for a holy life. Thus, many have asked his intercession of the Lord and received favors. In May 2006, the Catholic Church officially proclaimed Father Capodanno a Servant of God formally initiating the process by which the Holy See Congregation for the Causes of Saints considers candidates. The Archdiocese for the Military Services(AMS) is the Promoter of the Cause.

His Excellency, the Most Reverend Timothy P. Broglio, J.C.D., announced creation of The Father Vincent Capodanno Guild last September at the annual memorial Mass for the priest hero in the Crypt Church of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. Archbishop Broglio subsequently named members to the guild’s governing board. In addition to Chairman Phillips, Vice-Chairman Kilcline, and Treasurer Kurst, the members are as follows: Capt. Donald Campbell, USN (Ret.); Ms. Judy McCloskey; Gen. Henry C. Stackpole, USMC (Ret.); and Adm. P. Stephen Stanley, USN (Ret.). Archbishop Broglio also appointed Msgr. John J.M. Foster, J.C.D., AMS Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia, as his representative ex-officio to the Board, and Mr. John Schlageter, AMS General Counsel, as Recording Secretary and legal advisor. Mary Preece, Vice Postulator of the Cause, will serve as corresponding secretary.

According to the bylaws adopted by the board on Tuesday, the Guild will accomplish its purpose “by raising awareness of the Cause and those funds necessary to support the same Cause.” During its inaugural meeting, board members noted that funds will be required to pay administrative costs, fees for a professionally trained “postulator,” and travel expenses for investigators gathering information and testimony from those who knew Father Capodanno or claim to have experienced favors following intercessory prayers to the candidate for sainthood.

Donations to the Cause of Father Vincent Capodanno can be made to the following address:

The Cause of Father Vincent Capodanno
Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA
P.O. Box 4469
Washington, D.C. 20017.

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