The U.S. Department of Defense estimates there are 1.3 million active duty and 811,000 reserve men and women serving in all five branches of the U.S. military, about 25 percent of whom are Catholic. Yet, there are only 214 priests on active duty serving in the U.S. military. Catholic News Service has created a series of stories, photos and videos about the military chaplaincy titled “For God and country”.
The Diocese of Charleston has long been home for various military outlets and a chaplaincy training center is located at Fort Jackson in Columbia, S.C. View more about the important role these priests serve to military personnel and their families in this multi-media package here at themiscellany.org.
Read the articles here.
Part 1: For God and country: Priests navigate U.S. military as chaplains
Part 2: Priests see difference in parish ministry and military chaplaincy
Part 3: Military chaplaincy has long history in U.S. armed forces
Part 4: Military families depend on chaplains for more than spiritual guidance
Part 5: Catholic peace activists see conflict in priests serving in military
Part 6: Catholic military chaplains sometimes find peace in a war zone
Part 7: Bishops struggle to balance needs of their diocese and country
Part 8: Military archdiocese gets creative in recruiting Catholic chaplains
CNS illustration/Liz Agbey: The logo was created to accompany the series of stories, photos and videos about the military chaplaincy titled “For God and country”.
Top photo: CNS/Chaz Muth: New Army chaplains attend a March 14 morning Mass in a small chapel at Fort Jackson in Columbia, S.C., where they are training at the U.S. Army’s Chaplain Basic Officer Leader Course.
