Archbishop Timothy Broglio, who leads the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA (AMS), has directed Catholic priests serving the U.S. military to continue celebrating Mass and administering the sacraments during the federal government shutdown.
In an email sent September 30 to CatholicVote and other recipients, AMS Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia Msgr. Anthony Frontiero conveyed the archbishop’s instructions to military chaplains and priests.
“Archbishop Broglio directs AMS priests to exercise their religious liberty and continue to offer Mass at the chapel at the regularly scheduled times, especially on Sundays,” Msgr. Frontiero wrote. The guidance also emphasized continuing sacramental ministry “especially in hospital settings where end-of-life care is essential.”
The directive acknowledges that some priests serving under government contracts may be affected by the shutdown. To maintain access to the sacraments for Catholic military families, Broglio encouraged collaboration with local parish clergy.
According to the press release, priests employed by the Department of Defense or serving as General Schedule employees are “encouraged to reach out to local parish priests who are not contracted by the U.S. government and legally assist in the provision of the Holy Mass and the Sacraments,” without pay if necessary. Such arrangements could include a temporary “swap,” in which military chaplains cover parish Masses while parish priests serve on base “until the shutdown has been resolved.”
Archbishop Broglio’s directive reflects the AMS’s ongoing insistence that the practice of faith by Catholic service members and their families must continue regardless of disruptions in government operations.
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