Archbishop Broglio Welcomes U.S. Navy Policy Change Allowing Attendance at Indoor Religious Services

Archbishop Broglio Welcomes U.S. Navy Policy Change Allowing Attendance at Indoor Religious Services   Expresses gratitude to Department of Navy and all who contributed to "timely revision"   WASHINGTON, DC – His Excellency, the Most Reverend Timothy P. Broglio, J.C.D., Archbishop for the Military Services, USA, has issued the following statement on the U.S. Navy’s policy revision allowing attendance at indoor religious services during the COVID-19 pandemic: “The revision of the U.S. Navy’s orders to allow for the participation by Navy personnel in indoor religious services, provided that the appropriate guidelines are met, is most welcome.  The change recognizes that worship is a part of the exercise of religious liberty and helps to ensure the readiness of the forces who defend us. “It is clear that the Catholic Church has taken to heart the CDC measures and organized the celebration of the sacraments in ways that ensure the safety of participants, good order, and the dignity of the rites.  I am sure that other religious groups will do the same. "I am grateful to the Department of the Navy and everyone else who contributed to this timely revision.”

-30- The AMS was established as an independent archdiocese by Pope Saint John Paul II in 1985 as the only Catholic jurisdiction responsible for endorsing and granting faculties for priests to serve as chaplains in the U.S. military and VA Medical Centers. AMS-endorsed priests serve at more than 220 U.S. military installations in 29 countries, making the AMS the nation's only global archdiocese. AMS-endorsed chaplains also serve at 153 VA Medical Centers throughout the U.S. The AMS service population also includes American Catholic civilians working for the federal government in 134 countries, but currently, due to limited resources, the AMS cannot adequately serve this population. Worldwide, an estimated 1.8 million Catholics depend on the AMS to meet their spiritual and sacramental needs. For more information on the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, visit milarch.org, the only official website for Catholics in the U.S. Military. ​​​​For information on the Cause of Father Vincent R. Capodanno, M.M., visit capodannoguild.org.

No second COVID wave based on CDC data

CDC Data on steady decline of COVID related deaths since April.

GraphS by PBC based on official CDC data provided here: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/vsrr/covid19/index.htm

Ennio Morricone refused to cooperate with the Vatican in the effort to bury Gregorian chant after Vatican II

Morricone on Gregorian Chant (2009 interview to Edward Pentin):

"Today the Church has made a big mistake, turning the clock back 500 years with guitars and popular songs. I don’t like it at all. Gregorian Chant is a vital and important tradition of the Church and to waste this by having guys mix religious words with profane, Western songs is hugely grave, hugely grave. The same thing happened before the Council of Trent when singers sang profane songs with sacred melodies and sacred words.

"After the Second Vatican Council I was asked to be a consulter to the Vicariate for two pieces of sung Church music and I refused. The Church and Christians have Gregorian chant and they said we had to now have this other music, so I refused. All the musicians in Rome also refused to work with it. All those who know Gregorian chant understand that it’s something very high brow."

Deus vult!

Archbishop Broglio Issues Statement on U.S. Naval Orders Prohibiting Participation in Off-Base Indoor Religious Services

Archbishop Broglio Issues Statement on U.S. Naval Orders Prohibiting Participation in Off-Base Indoor Religious Services   ".... the Navy cannot legally prohibit family members from frequenting religious services off base...."   WASHINGTON, DC - His Excellency, the Most Reverend Timothy P. Broglio, J.C.D., Archbishop for the Military Services, USA, issued the following statement today on the prohibition by some commands in the US Navy against participation in off-base indoor religious services:   For Immediate Attention: COVID-19 Orders-- U.S. Navy             A few nights ago I watched Silence, a movie about the persecution of Catholics in Japan in the 1600’s.  The persecution was systematic and destined to eradicate the faith from the islands.  While the current situation in the US is certainly not one of persecution, the movie does invite the viewer to recognize values, determine how important they are, and decide what value merits a sacrifice, even the ultimate sacrifice.             Several of the faithful whom the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, is privileged to serve have brought to my attention the recent prohibition by the US Navy in some commands of participation in indoor religious services off base.  Service members are required to sign that they have received the FRAG orders.  Those who disobey will be held accountable.             The orders also add that “civilian personnel, including families, are discouraged from” indoor church services, as well.             The provision is particularly odious to Catholics, because frequently there is no longer a Catholic program on naval installations due to budgetary constraints or many installation chapels are still closed—even though many of them could well ensure appropriate social distancing.             Of course, the Navy cannot legally prohibit family members from frequenting religious services off base.  Those family members return home where the military member lives.  What is the protective effect of the prohibition for the Navy personnel?  Zero.              Upon receiving this information I immediately contacted the Navy Chief of Chaplains’ Office.  They have been unable to offer any relief from these provisions.  My attempt to contact the Chief of Naval Operations has not even been acknowledged.             Participation in the Sunday Eucharist is life blood for Catholics.  It is the source and summit of our lives and allows us to receive the Body and Blood of the Lord.  Certainly, the Navy personnel who fall under this restriction are dispensed from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass, because no one can be required to do what is impossible.             However, given the great lengths to which Catholic churches (and I presume others) have gone in order to ensure social distancing in seating, receiving Holy Communion, and even adjust the liturgy to avoid any contagion, I wonder why the Navy has decided to prohibit the faithful from something, which even the Commander in Chief has called an essential service.              I want to assure the Navy Catholic faithful of my prayerful solidarity, invite them to continue to participate in Masses that are broadcast or live-streamed, and to be fervent in their faith.  This situation will pass and, as Pope Francis reminded us, Christ is in the boat with us.                 It seems tragic to offer these reflections on the Independence holiday when we honor the bravery of those who forged this Nation to ensure self-evident truths about the endowment by the Creator of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.  Should those who swear to protect and defend the Constitution be obliged to surrender their First Amendment Rights?   +Timothy P. Broglio Archbishop for the Military Services, USA

-30- The AMS was established as an independent archdiocese by Pope Saint John Paul II in 1985 as the only Catholic jurisdiction responsible for endorsing and granting faculties for priests to serve as chaplains in the U.S. military and VA Medical Centers. AMS-endorsed priests serve at more than 220 U.S. military installations in 29 countries, making the AMS the nation's only global archdiocese. AMS-endorsed chaplains also serve at 153 VA Medical Centers throughout the U.S. The AMS service population also includes American Catholic civilians working for the federal government in 134 countries, but currently, due to limited resources, the AMS cannot adequately serve this population. Worldwide, an estimated 1.8 million Catholics depend on the AMS to meet their spiritual and sacramental needs. For more information on the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, visit milarch.org, the only official website for Catholics in the U.S. Military. ​​​​For information on the Cause of Father Vincent R. Capodanno, M.M., visit capodannoguild.org.

My latest column: “Stop Complaining and Start TLM-ing“

By Fr. KEVIN M. CUSICK

The Church is in a deplorable state, we all agree. At least those with eyes to see. Attendance is plummeting through the floor after the devastation of COVID in what were once the largest parishes.

The elderly are being told by their doctors to not return to Mass. In many parishes the retired individuals were keeping the church doors open through their financial and active support as volunteers. They peopled the daily worship in addition to Sunday Masses.

Financial woes continue to plague what were our largest parishes, burdened sometimes with aging physical plants and closed school buildings. Schools are increasingly closing after the financial collapse that overwhelmed the Church in the wake of the Chinese plague shutdown.

Most devastating, however, is the spiritual malaise.

How we treat the Holy Mass and the Eucharist is of the utmost importance. How we celebrate the Holy Mass with unrestrained reverence for and adoration of Christ present in the Eucharist indicates our spiritual health. Or not.

It was reported to me that the Blessed Sacrament was left neglected in a church during the COVID crisis, left abandoned and growing stale during the over three months when public worship ceased.

In how many other places did the same kind of abuse occur? We may never know. The way in which we treat our Lord truly present in the Eucharist makes clear to the Lord if not to others whether or not we have faith.

Read the rest: https://thewandererpress.com/catholic/news/our-catholic-faith/a-leaven-in-the-world-stop-complaining-and-start-tlm-ing/