Victims' group accuses Catholic church of sending problem priests to military

The Baltimore Sun ^ | March 24, 2011 | Tricia Bishop

[Gamecock]

Advocates for victims of clergy abuse called Thursday for an investigation into its allegations that the Roman Catholic church purposely funneled problem priests into the chaplain corps of the U.S. military.

....members of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests called for congressional hearings to determine "how frequently and why Catholic officials dumped predator priests on military bases."

And they distributed documents that they said showed that Archbishop Edwin F. O'Brien ignored sexual misconduct by chaplains when he headed the U.S. Archdiocese for the Military Services.

[Gamecock]

Isn’t that special?

Out brave Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen go to fight for us and Rome sends Priests to “comfort” the wives and children left behind.

What a convenient setup for Priests who have a thing for vulnerable children!

[dangus]

What do you do with a priest who has given his life to his ministry, when someone has made credible, but unprovable accusations against him? You send him into a ministry where you don’t risk the chance that he is a perv.

... if that’s what’s happening here.

[Cronos]

Let's see -- this is what the PCA/OPC preaches instead --> your two groups preach hatred to Pentecostals and Methodists (accusing them of being damnable heretics and preaching the gospel of satan), hatred to Lutherans etc.

The OPC (OrthodoPresbyterian C) and PCA (Presbyterian C in America) attack on American Christians

OPC/PCA preaching hatred against Pentecostals	from the OPC doctrinal website {the OPC} sharply contradicts the view popularized today by the neo-Pentecostal movement. In essence this view would have us believe that we can have the same charismatic gifts that we read about in the age of the Apostles - such as prophecy, speaking in tongues, and healing - today. This is a very serious error (of the Pentecostals). In essence it is a result of a failure to grasp the Biblical teaching concerning the history of salvation.
OPC/PCA preaching hatred against Lutherans	"The liberal church teaching of free will has infected the Lutherans, too, in contradiction to what Martin Luther taught from Scripture" by an OPC poster:
OPC/PCA preaching hatred against Pentecostals and Methodists:	From the opc doctrinal website: . Are Arminian (Methodists, Pentecostals, Baptist etc) preachers heretics? yes . Is Arminianism (Methodism, Pentecostalism, Baptists) a damnable heresy? Yes. . the teachings of Arminianism are contrary to Scripture, they are manifestly false. They are serious perversions of the gospel of Jesus Christ "we see the inherent Satanism of Free-Will Arminianism" (accusing Methodists, Pentecostals, etc. who disagree with Calvin of preaching a gospel of Satan
OPC/PCA preaching hatred against Methodists	"John Wesley preached Universal Infant Damnation for unbaptized infants -- which is unsurprising, because Wesley preached the Gospel of Satan" by a PCA poster
OPC/PCA preaching hatred against Judaism	Acording to the OPC "Christians should not celebrate the Seder or other Jewish festivals. "
OPC/PCA preaching hatred against Pentecostals and Catholics together as targets of the OPC/PCA message of hate	The PCA view: "This goes to what the Reformers taught; that is the "enthusiasts" or what we call today Pentecostals, are really no different from the Roman Catholics." And I think this is one reason why it is easy for certain evangelicals, often from the "enthusiast" wing, find it easy to become Roman Catholic.
OPC/PCA preaching hatred and evil against Christians martyred by Moslems in the Middle East	This man followed the wrong teachings of Rome and we know what happens to such people. Heaven is for the elect.
preaching hatred against the Eastern Orthodox	Insinuating that the E. Orthodox are not helping others in Japan
preaching hatred against Adventists	The Adventists are a cult that is as dangerous as the Jehovahs Witnesses or the Mormons
revealing their true beliefs that Christianity means only Calvinism and only their particular brand of Calvinism	OPC poster: "That's Christianity. That's Calvinism" OPC " The problem with non-denominational churches is that there's nothing to stop the congregation from deciding to become Mormon or Unitarian, etc. There is something to be said for a diagonal form of church structuring, like the Presbyterians -- organized by a representative group of congregants. This actually strengthens the Christian imperative rather than dilutes it as so many non-denominational churches tend to do." "Calvinism is the Gospel and to teach Calvinism is in fact to preach the Gospel." Arthur C. Custance, The Sovereignty of Grace, 1979. "Calvinism is evangelicalism in its purest and only stable expression." B.B. Warfield, Calvin and Augustine, ed. Samuel G. Craig, 1956 "We believe with the great Baptist preacher, Charles Haddon Spurgeon, that Calvinism is just another name for Christianity." John H. Gerstner, Wrongly Dividing the Word of Truth: A Critique of Dispensationalism, 1991.

[chatham]

The one thing Bishop O’Brien was sure to do was Punish Father Thomas Doyle ,bacause Fr. Doyle supported Abused children.
O’Brien Had Fr. Doyle dismissed from the military , 2 Years before Fr. Doyles retirement.

[Cronos]

You can also read this:WHY THE PCA IS NOT A DULY CONSTITUTED CHURCH

and Why Faithful Christians Should Separate From This Corrupt "Communion"

Oh, and I understand that the OPC considers the PCA to be borderline close to heretics (since the OPC view is anyone who doesn't worship Gresham Machen with them is a heretic)

what differentiates you PCA types from the OPC?

1. Do you PCA types believe that Charismatic gifts (healing, talking in tongues) is still possible today?
2. Do you PCA types have a liturgy?
3. does the PCA have drama in its services?
4. Does the PCA have liturgical dance in its services?
5. Does the PCA like the OPC deal with dissent in a back-room manner?
6. Do you allow singing with guitars, choirs etc. or just psalms?
7. Do you hold to a literal 6 day creationism view?

What about the PCA view of Jews, Methodists, Pentecostals? Do you deny that the PCA just like the OPC considers these to be damnable heretics?

Is it true what they say about the PCA that

the PCA has the following beliefs (as shown on it's website www.pcahistory.org)

1. A disbelief in the literal meaning of Genesis (there's a long-winded statement there, quite typical)
2. A belief that many if not most miscarried and abortion victims (babies killed) go to hell,
3. A belief that Methodists and Pentecostals are damnable heretics
4. A belief that only Calvinism is pure Christianity
5. A belief that sharing a meal with Jews as on Seder etc. is not only wrong but a horrendous sin (latent anti-semitism)
6. A belief that Pentecostals are on the verge of if not already not Christians

Among many other strange beliefs.

As the PCA has grown, there are more cases of abuse, of money extorted etc. This sub-group is heading for having homosexual practising pastors living in "partnerships".

and what do you say to the OPC types who would say that

The PCA is no more than an extension of the PCUSA

It lures folks in and will soon reveals itself as

the Pinko C in America

[Notwithstanding]

My closest friend while deployed was the Catholic chaplain.

I can’t think of anyone who was more brave, selfless, tireless, and mission oriented than he.

And the Catholic chaplains have a much harder life than any other chaplains because Catholics chaplains actually go to the soldiers in the smallest outposts to bring them the sacraments. They spend far more time out where the action is in order to comfort and lift up those men who are doing the heavy lifting in these wars. The other chaplains visit when they can, and feel that it does not matter who visits an outpost, as long as it is a chaplain of any variety. Not so with the Catholic chaplains - they want to bring the sacraments as often as they can, and no one else can do that except a Catholic priest.

Shame on you for highlighting the few bad apples and denigrating the vast majority of Catholic chaplains who are heroic servants of Christ and His Church.

[TSgt]

The personnel files of one Boston priest on the list contain a 1987 notation that he "fools around with kids," according to newspaper accounts, yet the man was subsequently assigned to a VA hospital in Palo Alto., Calif.

Cardinal Law's legacy lives on.

[Cronos]

Notwithstanding:

My closest friend while deployed was the Catholic chaplain.

I can’t think of anyone who was more brave, selfless, tireless, and mission oriented than he.

Catholics chaplains actually go to the soldiers in the smallest outposts to bring them the sacraments. They spend far more time out where the action is in order to comfort and lift up those men who are doing the heavy lifting in these wars. The other chaplains visit when they can, and feel that it does not matter who visits an outpost, as long as it is a chaplain of any variety. Not so with the Catholic chaplains - they want to bring the sacraments as often as they can, and no one else can do that except a Catholic priest.

Shame on you for highlighting the few bad apples and denigrating the vast majority of Catholic chaplains who are heroic servants of Christ and His Church.

It's part of the plan of some to discredit Christianity as a whole.

the problem is that they believe in spreading their hatred against all Christians (see my post 5 above) --> Gamecock, why does the PCA/OPC hate everyone, Pentecostals, Lutherans, Methodists, Orthodox, Christian martyrs, Catholics, Baptist etc.?

[G Larry]

Where are the victims groups protesting the shuffling of NYC school district pedophiles?
LA school district pedophiles?
Boston school district pedophiles?
Chicago school district pedophiles?

[Notwithstanding]

21 pages of testimonials from soldiers thanking their priest chaplains from

http://www.catholicmil.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=34&Itemid=177

Chaplain Testimonies

 

 

  

 

 

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Chaplain Testimonies

"You have a great responsibility. People serving in the military have to be ready mentally, physically, and spiritually. That's one-third of it right there. And if that's missing, I see catastophe. It's a very rigorous responsibility taking care of the spiritual part of it. And actively taking care of it," says retired USMC Major General James J. McMonagle. Here are first hand accounts of US Catholic chaplains honorably serving pro Deo et Patria.

Traveling Chaplain Graces Kearsarge

Written by PO2 Steve Tate   

Thursday, 17 March 2011 20:43

MEDITERRANEAN SEA 11March2011– Sailors and Marines of the Roman Catholic faith aboard USS Kearsarge were given the opportunity to give confession and participate in Mass when the crew was visited by Roman Catholic chaplain Lt. John Kelly, March 11. Kearsarge does not have a Catholic priest permanently assigned to its command religious ministries department, but

Last Updated on Thursday, 17 March 2011 20:56

Read more...

 

Desperate Plea for Catholic Chaplains to Serve

Written by Brian Fraga   

Saturday, 29 January 2011 17:24

This Christmas, many Catholics in uniform won’t have access to the sacraments. Why that’s bad.

OSV Newsweekly, 12/26/2010: U.S. Army Spc. Regina Tetreault arrived in Afghanistan with the 101st Airborne Division just a few days before Christmas in 2008. 

Tetreault, 21, a lifelong Catholic, attended Mass on Christmas morning. For the next 11 months of her deployment, Tetreault, a transportation specialist, said her demanding work schedule made it difficult to attend Mass, but added that it was also not easy because only one Catholic military chaplain was stationed in her region. 

“I felt like there wasn’t the opportunity to receive the Eucharist or to have a priest hear my confession,” Tetreault said. “That was hard, but you have to be flexible. Since we didn’t have many priests, you do what you can.”

Invaluable moral support 

“The shortage makes it very difficult for us to serve the needs of the Catholic community,” said Father Gregory Caiazzo, an active-duty Navy captain assigned to the Office of the Chief of Navy Chaplains. 

Catholic military chaplains are needed to administer the sacraments and to celebrate Mass aboard Navy destroyers and in far-flung base camps. On Christmas, many of them will drive long distances and board helicopters to celebrate several Masses for troops in Afghanistan and Iraq. They will also provide invaluable moral support for those troops, many of whom will be conducting nonstop combat operations. 

“The chaplains kept people focused and helped them give an understanding and acceptance of the things they saw,” said Matt Chandler, 33, of Dartmouth, Mass. Chandler, a Marine Corps veteran who served two tours in Iraq as an infantryman, recalled a Catholic chaplain who celebrated a memorial Mass for three Marines in his platoon who were killed when their Humvee struck an anti-tank mine in April 2006. 

“I learned to accept God’s will from our chaplain,” said Chandler, who is Catholic. 

Bishop Thomas J. Tobin, the head of the Diocese of Providence, R.I., told Our Sunday Visitor that the presentation that Archbishop Timothy Broglio of the U.S. Archdiocese for the Military Services gave last month to his fellow bishops on the need for more Catholic chaplains (see sidebar) was a well-received “eye-opener.” 

“It’s something we always haven’t talked about in a group before,” said Bishop Tobin, whose diocese has two priests on active duty in the military. He said that bishops, especially those in smaller dioceses, have to balance the pastoral needs of their local parish communities with those of their flock in the military. 

“It’s a very worthwhile ministry,” Bishop Tobin said. “With our men and women serving in the armed forces, they’re often very young, away from home, sometimes for the very first time. They can be placed in difficult situations, especially if they are in a combat zone. I think they need, and they deserve, all the spiritual and pastoral support we can give to them.” 

But Judy L. McCloskey, director of CatholicMil.org, an online resource for Catholic service members, told OSV that “too many bishops” fail to understand the need that exists beyond their dioceses. 

“If perhaps they did the math to see just what percent of their own serves in the military, in communities far beyond their diocesan borders, they would ‘tithe,’ if you will, a few of their priests to serve as chaplains,” said McCloskey, who also works on the canonization cause of Father Vincent Capodanno, a U.S. Navy chaplain killed in 1967 by enemy fire in Vietnam. 

Lack of access 

Father Michael R. Duesterhaus, a priest in the Diocese of Richmond, Va., completed three tours in Iraq as a chaplain in the Navy Reserve. His second deployment was extended by three months because of the shortage of priests in the country. Around that time, he said the 82nd Airborne Division arrived in Iraq for a 10-month tour expecting that their Catholic troops would not have access to a priest. 

“They were shocked when I greeted them,” Father Duesterhaus said. “But you know what, if you do that long enough, your marginal Catholics just drop off entirely. The Church becomes irrelevant. Those who are serious become distant from their faith because if you get so used to not having a chaplain, you stop asking for one.” 

Father David Daigle, a Navy lieutenant who serves as a chaplain aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt, an aircraft carrier, says bishops need to be more open to their priests serving in the military. 

“You look at the universal Church and you see military members going through hardships. You’re seeing the lay faithful going six to nine months without any connection to a Catholic priest,” said Father Daigle, who will lead an Advent penance service and a Christmas Mass for sailors and marines. 

Father Richard Erikson, the vicar general for the Archdiocese of Boston and himself a colonel in the Air Force Reserve, was one of two Catholic chaplains in 2004 assigned to Balad Air Base, a military installation in Northern Iraq manned by 30,000 troops. 

“We were under attack constantly. The questions of death, and life after death, were very present and permeable to each individual. The Mass you celebrated, the confession you heard, could literally be the last one an individual received,” said Father Erikson, now mobilization assistant to the Air Force deputy chief of chaplains.  

“Every diocese in the United States has hundreds of troops in the military. By providing priests for the military, you are caring for the people in your diocese,” said Father Erikson, adding that the Boston archdiocese has 10 priest-chaplains on active duty, one reservist recently called up to active duty and an additional 10 to 15 reservists. 

“I can’t think of a greater need for chaplains than in a war setting,” he said. “The sacraments we have become that much more important.” 

Brian Fraga writes from Massachusetts.

Underserved (sidebar)

A U.S. Army soldier prays during a Christmas Eve service at FOB Clark in Khowst province, Afghanistan, Dec. 24, 2009. Reuters photo by Zohra Bensemra

Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, the head of the U.S. Archdiocese for the Military Services, underscored the Catholic chaplain shortage when he addressed the U.S. bishops’ fall general assembly on Nov. 15. 

He noted that the U.S. Armed Forces combined have 275 priest-chaplains on active duty — there are supposed to be 1,000 — to serve an estimated 400,000 Catholic military service members and their immediate families. He said the numbers of priest-chaplains are expected to decline, increasing the risk that Catholic soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen will be alienated from the faith. 

“I would like to be able return them to you as Catholics,” said Archbishop Broglio, who requested each bishop consider sending one additional priest to the military. The shortage is such that several military bases contract civilian priests while chaplains in war zones are stretched thin in covering large geographic areas by themselves.

Last Updated on Tuesday, 01 February 2011 20:50

 

2SCR Chaplains Corps

Written by Sgt Gerald Wilson   

Friday, 07 January 2011 04:41

ZABUL, Afghanistan - The spiritual welfare of each Trooper of the 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment rest squarely on the shoulders of the Regimental Chaplain’s Corps. During their current deployment to Afghanistan, there are six chaplains to service over 4,000 Dragoons stretched over an area of operation the size of Texas.

Last Updated on Friday, 11 March 2011 23:11

Read more...

 

CH Piontkowski in Iraq

Written by Spc. Zane Craig   

Sunday, 02 January 2011 23:20

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq - With the candles lighted on the altar, making the gold crucifix nearby shine, a transformation took place as a soldier in the Army Combat Uniform dons his vestments; first the white alb, then the stole, and finally the purple chasuble, becoming a priest of the Roman Catholic Church.
     Lt. Col. Richard Piontkowski, deputy command chaplain with the 103rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), and a Grand Island, Neb., native, is one of nine Roman Catholic chaplains in Iraq ministering to the spiritual needs of more than 10,000 Catholic service members in Iraq.

Last Updated on Friday, 04 February 2011 14:50

Read more...

 

1st Cavalry Greets New Chaplain, Fr Eric Albertson

Written by Amanda Kim Stairrett   

Tuesday, 06 July 2010 00:00

A change of the stole ceremony is a sacred tradition and unique ceremony, the 1st Cavalry Division's commander said last week at Fort Hood.  Change of command ceremonies are common in the Army, and Maj. Gen. Daniel Allyn said a change of stole was far more important than a change of command because it marked the passing of responsibility for the spiritual sustenance of the division's soldiers and families.

Last Updated on Friday, 29 October 2010 16:09

Read more...

 

More Articles...

• US KFOR Soldiers Experience Catholic Mass at Kosovo Shrine
• US KFOR Soldiers Experience Catholic Mass at Kosovo Shrine
• Priest Born in Soviet Union Now Defends America
• Chaplains Visit Soldiers at Camp Nothing Hill

<< Start < Prev 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Next > End >>

Page 1 of 21

[Dr. Scarpetta]

“The victims’ group, known as SNAP, released a list online Thursday of about 100 priests who worked as chaplains in the military or in Veterans Affairs hospitals during the past 50 years and were accused of sexual misconduct either before, during or after their service.

The names were compiled from public court, church and military records with help from BishopAccountability.org, which tracks abuse within the Catholic church.

SNAP Maryland Director Frank Dingle said they represent a sampling of perpetrators.

The personnel files of one Boston priest on the list contain a 1987 notation that he ‘fools around with kids,’ according to newspaper accounts, yet the man was subsequently assigned to a VA hospital in Palo Alto, Calif.

Another Boston priest who was accused of violence and sexual abuse against a preteen boy was later sent to work for the Army, according to personnel records available online.”

http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2011-03-24/news/bs-md-ci-snap-20110324_1_predator-priests-boston-priest-survivors-network

[Dr. Scarpetta]

A Preliminary LIST...

Priests Accused of Sexual Misconduct
Who Worked As Military Chaplains
or Chaplains at VA Hospitals

“This page presents a preliminary list of accused priests who have worked as military chaplains and chaplains at Veteran’s Administration hospitals.

It has been common practice for bishops and superiors of religious orders in the United States to use chaplaincies in the armed forces as a convenient place to send priests who have molested children.

As a result, servicemen have been sexually assaulted, the children of soldiers have been abused, and children visiting a parent or relative at a VA hospital have been endangered.

A priest’s time in the military often ends with a transfer back into a parish, where parishioners know nothing of their new priest’s sexual history, and the priest can use his military career in grooming new victims.

In the military, a sexually abusive priest has a powerful new tool to continue his sexual misconduct – his rank and the authority it gives him over soldiers of lower rank and their families.

The Catholic church’s cynical and criminal use of the armed forces as a warehouse for sex offending priests is a neglected and important aspect of the sexual abuse crisis.

The bishops’ practice of not reporting crimes to the police, and of moving priests who molest to unsuspecting parishes, already dishonors the justice system, the people of the parishes, and the priesthood itself.

The bishops’ use of the military dishonors and the men and women who protect our country, and the families that they are raising.”

http://www.bishop-accountability.org/Military_Chaplains/

[Cronos]

Interesting -- this is what the OPC and PCA (Orthodo Presbyterian C and Presbyterian C in America) think of Methodists:

• ’ moved on to the Wesleyan denomination,’ moving from one godless denomination the PCUSA to another one, an Arminian/Wesleyan denomination is not an improvement.

• For now it (the Wesleyan Church) is pro-life and does not have homosexual pastors, yet it has women pastors and is heading the way of actively gay pastors. More important, Wesleyan philosophy which rejects TULIP rejects scripture. To reject these concepts means a rejection of Christianity.

Do you agree with this OPC/PCA view on Wesleyans?

[Iscool]

Shame on you for highlighting the few bad apples and denigrating the vast majority of Catholic chaplains who are heroic servants of Christ and His Church.

There might be far more rotten apples than just a few...

As Catholic literature tells us, most Catholic priests are groomed from childhood...They are then sent to Seminaries...So obviously, every thing they learned about the queer lifestyle, they learned from your religion...

There might be far more disgustingly rotten fruit than you know about...And since your religion attempts to cover the tracks of the know pedos, how many of the perverts have escaped detection by the outside world and climbed the ladder all the way to the top???

[Notwithstanding]

http://www.catholicmil.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1648:the-2scr-chaplains-corps&catid=34:chaplain-testimonies&Itemid=70

2SCR Chaplains Corps

Written by Sgt Gerald Wilson

Friday, 07 January 2011 04:41

ZABUL, Afghanistan - The spiritual welfare of each Trooper of the 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment rest squarely on the shoulders of the Regimental Chaplain’s Corps. During their current deployment to Afghanistan, there are six chaplains to service over 4,000 Dragoons stretched over an area of operation the size of Texas.

“There is one chaplain for each Squadron,” explains 2SCR’s Regimental Chaplain Maj. Leau. “Take 2nd Squadron for example. He has more than nine locations that are attached to Forward Operating Base Apache and all the outside FOBS he has to cover.”

The Chaplain’s Corps has been around since 1775. Following the creation of the infantry as a branch of the Army, the Continental Congress acting on orders from Gen. George Washington, established the Chaplains Corps making it the second oldest branch in the U.S. Army. It was Washington’s concern for the morale and moral character of his soldiers that prompted the belief that the military needed paid religious leaders to care for spiritual needs. Since then wherever there are soldiers deployed, there has been a chaplain in their midst helping them.

Many Army chaplains spend a large part of their deployments traveling from outpost to outpost offering religious services and counseling to the soldiers in the field. One such traveler is Capt. Mario Rosario, a Catholic priest from the 96st ASB 101st Combat Aviation Brigade. In addition to supporting the soldiers of his unit, Father Rosario spends much of his time providing for the needs of the Catholic Troopers of 2SCR.

“There are Catholic soldiers all over,” Rosario said. “Even if there is just one or two on a COP they need to be provided with religious support.” Rosario spends about 20 days a month traveling throughout RC-South providing services wherever needed. He credits his commander who values religious support and understands the need to travel. The dedication to serving our military service members has become ingrained in the chaplain’s job description.

For many of our Dragoon men of the cloth, being a chaplain is more than just a job; it is a calling to nurture their fellow soldiers. That was one call that took Capt. Doug Hogsten, Chaplain for FIRES Squadron, 2SCR, more than 22 years to answer.

“I was enlisted for 3 years,” Hogsten said, “from 1984 to 1987, I was a mortar man.”

“My company commander told me he was going to get me to reenlist,” he explained. “I told him that when the bush by my barracks window burned and was not consumed, and the voice of God came out of it and told me to reenlist. Then, we would talk.”

Little did Hogsten know that in 2006, he would feel that pull back to the military and join the Chaplain Corps.

For more than 234 years, chaplains have been caring for soldiers. From Valley Forge to Afghanistan, they have provided counseling and spiritual nourishment for our military service members faced with the rigorous demands of deployments. When the death of a Soldier occurs, they comfort and they provide special religious services giving soldiers a little taste of home during the holidays. Whether they are preaching from the pulpit on Sunday morning or providing a sympathetic ear to a soldier in need, military chaplains have been and continue to be an important part of the U.S military.

[Notwithstanding]

http://www.catholicmil.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1645:chaplain-piontkowski&catid=34:chaplain-testimonies&Itemid=70

CH Piontkowski in Iraq

Written by Spc. Zane Craig

Sunday, 02 January 2011 23:20

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq - With the candles lighted on the altar, making the gold crucifix nearby shine, a transformation took place as a soldier in the Army Combat Uniform dons his vestments; first the white alb, then the stole, and finally the purple chasuble, becoming a priest of the Roman Catholic Church.
Lt. Col. Richard Piontkowski, deputy command chaplain with the 103rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), and a Grand Island, Neb., native, is one of nine Roman Catholic chaplains in Iraq ministering to the spiritual needs of more than 10,000 Catholic service members in Iraq.

In addition to the dual role of soldier and priest, Piontkowski serves in two roles as deputy command chaplain: as an administrative role that can be filled by any chaplain of his rank, and as pastor to all the Catholics in his sector, a spiritual role that can only be filled by an ordained priest.

“Part of being the deputy command chaplain is that you’re pastor to all the soldiers, no matter what their belief system is,” said Piontkowski. “Whoever comes in, for whatever reason, that’s your soldier.”

Piontkowski said that his main concern as a Catholic pastor is for the soldiers in his care to receive the sacraments.

There are two other priests stationed at Joint Base Balad, Iraq: one in the Air Force and one in the Army, equaling approximately one third of all the priests in Iraq. This concentration allows them to take turns traveling to remote bases that lack a full-time priest to say mass and administer the sacraments.

Piontkowski and Master Sgt. Kevin Zavala, master chaplain assistant with the 103rd ESC, and a Necedah, Wis., native, traveled to Contingency Operating Base Speicher, which has a large population of active Catholics but no resident priest, to lead the Christmas celebration.

“It’s good for all of us to be able to go to Mass because even if we can’t be with our families this year, we can celebrate with our military family here,” said Sgt. 1st Class. Willy Anderson, support operations non-commissioned officer-in-charge with the 394th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 103rd ESC, and a Dodge, Neb., native.

Piontkowski said attending Mass to celebrate Christmas during a deployment is like a little bit of home, something familiar and comforting. Approximately 100 service members and civilian contractors attended Mass at Liberty Chapel on Christmas Eve.

“It really helps to keep things in perspective; it’s a very calming influence,” he said. “It reminds them of times they were home with their families. Even if this year they can’t be with their families bodily, spiritually they can be.”

At home in the civilian world, Piontkowski is rector of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Cathedral in Grand Island, Neb. Flexibility is the most important lesson he learned at the Cathedral that has helped him on his deployment so far, he said. Although this is his first overseas deployment, he was activated in 2004-2005 with the 89thRegional Readinees Command of Wichita, Kan., to deal with pre and post mobilization issues.

“I’m enjoying the deployment,” said Piontkowski. “It’s a good opportunity for me to help people and to learn a lot. “

He added that his judgment of an area is by people, never by place, and that the people he has met here, service members and locals, mostly interpreters and religious leaders have been great people.

“I’ve learned how I react to explosions, for one, and I’ve learned how this culture, which is so related to biblical times, how they look at history, including historical events occurring now, in such a non-Western way,” he said.

In addition to other duties, chaplains receive referrals from unit leadership of soldiers dealing with combat stress and other mental health challenges.

“I want someone dealing with suicidal ideation to see a mental health professional,” said Piontkowski. “I think as chaplains, we are more like first aid in these situations, but we are a bit more ubiquitous than combat stress specialists,” he said.

Nevertheless, as an experienced priest, there are few personal problems here Piontkowski hasn’t dealt with in his parishioners back home.

“My advice to soldiers here is, while you’re brushing up on your battle skills, it’s not a bad idea to brush up on your spiritual skills as well,” he said.

Despite the challenges of ministering to a congregation of thousands spread over an area as large as California, Piontkowski maintains an upbeat, jovial attitude and balances his many roles to effectively serve the soldiers entrusted to his care.

[Notwithstanding]

http://www.catholicmil.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1621:1st-cavalry-greets-new-chaplain-fr-eric-albertson&catid=34:chaplain-testimonies&Itemid=70

1st Cavalry Greets New Chaplain, Fr Eric Albertson

Written by Amanda Kim Stairrett

Tuesday, 06 July 2010 00:00

A change of the stole ceremony is a sacred tradition and unique ceremony, the 1st Cavalry Division’s commander said last week at Fort Hood. Change of command ceremonies are common in the Army, and Maj. Gen. Daniel Allyn said a change of stole was far more important than a change of command because it marked the passing of responsibility for the spiritual sustenance of the division’s soldiers and families. Lt. Col. (promotable) Barbara Sherer passed the mantle of leadership from one shepherd to another June 29 during a change of stole ceremony at the 1st Cavalry Division Memorial Chapel.

Sherer, who is an ordained Presbyterian minister, served as the division’s chaplain, a duty she passed to Lt. Col. Eric Albertson, a Roman Catholic priest.

By accepting the stole, Albertson accepted the role as a servant of God in the capacity of the division’s spiritual leader, said Col. Michael Tarvin, U.S. Forces Command chaplain.

He led Albertson through his inquiry of personal commitment before Allyn transferred the stole from Sherer to Albertson.

In the commitment, Tarvin asked Albertson if he would acknowledge God’s guiding hand and with God’s help, accept his duties.

Sherer accepted the 1st Cavalry chaplain’s stole in May 2008.

Army numbers from June of that year indicated that of its 1,525 active-duty chaplains, just 60 of them were women.

Those statistics were never an issue for Sherer, though. While assigned at Fort Lee, Va., in 2003, she was assigned to serve as the chaplain for the 3rd Infantry Division’s 603rd Aviation Support Battalion. She deployed with those soldiers to Iraq during the first months of the war there, according to information from the division.

Sherer has served in Mogadishu, Somalia; Kuwait; and three deployments to Iraq.

A division chaplain’s role is to direct, mentor and train those chaplains who will have constant, direct contact with the soldiers, and Allyn said Sherer handled it all with ease and seamlessly synchronized support across the 1st Cavalry.

Prayer provides power, poise, peace and purpose, Allyn said, adding he raises prayers daily.

The idea of taking upon the stole and its responsibilities goes back to the Old Testament, Allyn said. The prophet Elijah was given the mantle that identified him as the new prophetic voice of Israel. Today, that mantle is replaced by a stole, a reminder of God’s constant presence, Allyn said.

The stole is one of the heaviest pieces of cloth because it bears the weight of responsibility, the general said. Chaplains understand, embrace and relish this responsibility and they answer the call to minister to soldiers in peace and war, and they are compassionate and convicted in their calling, Allyn said.

Albertson grew up in Virginia and attended Mount Saint Mary’s Seminary in Maryland. He was ordained in 1986 and became an active-duty chaplain in 1993, according to information from the division. He was first assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division, where he completed the Army Ranger Course and Advanced Airborne Training.

Albertson served with the 1st Cavalry in Bosnia, and also served tours in Haiti, Kuwait, Korea, Italy, Afghanistan and two deployments to Iraq. He is a Purple Heart recipient, Allyn said.

The two served together in the 82nd Airborne, and Albertson has dedicated himself to bringing light to a world full of darkness, Allyn said.

Albertson last served as garrison chaplain for Camp Eggers, Kabul, and deputy command chaplain for the NATO Training Mission in Afghanistan. He helped the Afghan National Army create its chaplain corps, which is called the Religious and Cultural Affairs Directorate, according to information from the division.

Sherer will next attend the Army War College at Carlisle Barracks, Pa.

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Article first appeared online Killeen Daily Herald at KDHNews.com and is used with permission.

[Notwithstanding]

http://www.catholicmil.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1573:staff-sgt-christina-turnipseed&catid=34:chaplain-testimonies&Itemid=70

Priest Makes FOB Calls

Written by Staff Sgt. Christina Turnipseed

Saturday, 13 February 2010 15:55

FOB WARRIOR, KIRKUK, Iraq- “Let’s continue praising God!” This was the inspirational instruction given by the Catholic priest which preceded the mellow sounds of an acoustic guitar and the sound of more than a dozen reverent, joyful voices at Mass at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Warrior, Feb. 3.
Chaplain (Capt.) Patrick Van Durme of 1st Battalion, 9th Field Artillery, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, whose hometown is Dansville, N.Y., flew in from FOB Marez near Mosul to FOB Warrior to conduct services.

Van Durme will also travel to five other FOBs in northern Iraq servicing Sykes, Tal Afar, Doria, Marez/Diamondback and McHenry.

Van Durme said he plans to come to FOB Warrior every week.

“We’re gonna be here next week as long as the helicopters fly,” said Van Durme.

After Mass, Sgt. 1st Class James Burkley, a 1st Brigade Combat Team Soldier, said “I feel like it gives me the freedom to practice my faith. This way, I get to practice the traditions I grew up with.”

Maj. John Tran of 506 Expeditionary Combat Support from Los Angeles, Calif., read the scripture while Master Sgt. Mike McCarthy from a boarder transition team, and a native of Cochecton, N.Y., who happened to be here from Erbil, assisted Van Durme with conducting the service.

“We don’t have religious services at all [in Erbil],” McCarthy said. “To get religious services is essential.”
Mass was held Feb. 3 at 7 p.m. and Feb. 4 at 11:30 a.m. in the Air Force Freedom Chapel for 35 to 45 minutes.

Parishioners were invited, by Van Durme, to come back next week for Mass and to see him after service for confessions, to join the church, wedding preparations, conformations, etc.

Van Durme said he joined the Army for the opportunity to help Soldiers.

“I’ve been a priest for a long time,” Van Durme said. “I’ve only been in the Army for two years. My nephew was in the service and went 18 months without service.”

“I saw a need,” he added. “It’s hard work getting moved all around the battlefield, but it’s what I need to do for the Soldiers.

[surroundedbyblue]

Another Catholic-bashing thread by Gamecock. Same crap, different day.

This is a Catholic bashing party, not an honest debate or exchange of ideas.