(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.