Catholic priests impacted by U.S. shutdown

(Vatican Radio) Catholic priests serving in the United States military on a contract basis were unexpectedly impacted by the partial government shutdown.

Archbishop Timothy Broglio of the U.S. Military Services explained the situation to Vatican Radio’s Tracey McClure. Listen:

The U.S. military has about 234 active duty priests, and between 50 and 75 contract priests. The shutdown impacted only those on contract, he explained. If the contract did not extend past the fiscal year, which began 1 October, the shutdown meant they were not allowed on base nor to volunteer their services.

“It does not make sense at all,” the archbishop said. So much so, he continued, that the House of Representatives passed a bill last Saturday, exempting contract priests from the procedure of the shutdown. Archbishop Broglio said he expects the Senate, once it is back in session, to pass the bill as well.

In the meantime, the Department of Defense has moved that these priests be considered essential personnel, which would then allow them to come back on base and function.