On Saturday, Pope Benedict XVI received the participants in a conference celebrating
the 25th anniversary of Blessed John Paul II reform of the military Ordinariates
– the structures that provide for the spiritual care of soldiers and their families
all around the world. The occasion for the meeting was the sixth International Congress
of Military Ordinariates and the third International Formation Course in Humanitarian
Law for Military Chaplains, which took place this week under the joint sponsorship
and organization of the Congregation for Bishops and the Pontifical Council for Justice
and Peace. In his remarks to the participants, Pope Benedict XVI said the 25th
anniversary of Blessed John Paul II’s document, Spiritali militum curae is an excellent
opportunity to pause and reflect on the quarter-century of development that the Pope’s
reform stirred. “In expressing my heartfelt encouragement,” said Pope Benedict, “I
would draw your attention to the need to ensure that men and women of the Armed Forces
receive spiritual assistance that meets all the requirements of a consistent Christian
life and mission.” “The issue,” he went on to say, “is one of forming Christians who
have a deep faith, who live a committed religious practice, and are true witnesses
of Christ in their community.” The Holy Father said that, to achieve this goal, the
military chaplains and bishops should feel responsible for proclaiming the Gospel
and administering the sacraments wherever there are soldiers and their families. “The
work of evangelization in the world of the military,” said Pope Benedict, “requires
a growing assumption of responsibility, so that, in military life as well, there be
an ever new, convicted and joyful proclamation of Jesus Christ, the one hope for life
and peace for all humanity. Listen