- Feb 5, 2002
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(OSV News) — Franciscan priests have returned to pastoral ministry at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, two months after the center decided to end their contract.
The priests and brothers of Holy Name College Friary of Silver Spring, Maryland, resumed their service at the medical center June 13, according to a June 15 press release issued by the U.S. Archdiocese for the Military Services, which exercises pastoral jurisdiction over the center.
The U.S. Defense Health Agency (DHA) has awarded a five-year contract to the Franciscans that is renewable annually.
On March 31, the Franciscans had been advised their contract — which was set to expire but had routinely been upheld for close to 20 years — would not be renewed.
The center instead assigned the ministry to Mack Global LLC, a secular defense contracting firm based in Mechanicsville, Virginia. According to its website, the company provides “telework consulting services, administrative and religious staffing, transportation and roadway services, (and) professional development and training.” The “typical religious positions” staffed by the company, the site says, include music directors and musicians for “Catholic services,” as well as coordinators for Catholic religious education and youth.
The move, announced hours ahead of Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday services, was labeled “incomprehensible” at the time by Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, head of the military archdiocese, who also serves as president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Catholic lawmakers — among them, Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J. and Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla. – — also protested the decision by contacting Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.
The DHA reopened bidding in May and awarded the contract to the Franciscans June 8. As before, a team of five friars will alternate service at Walter Reed six days a week, ministering to hospitalized patients.
Continued below.
www.oursundayvisitor.com
The priests and brothers of Holy Name College Friary of Silver Spring, Maryland, resumed their service at the medical center June 13, according to a June 15 press release issued by the U.S. Archdiocese for the Military Services, which exercises pastoral jurisdiction over the center.
The U.S. Defense Health Agency (DHA) has awarded a five-year contract to the Franciscans that is renewable annually.
On March 31, the Franciscans had been advised their contract — which was set to expire but had routinely been upheld for close to 20 years — would not be renewed.
The center instead assigned the ministry to Mack Global LLC, a secular defense contracting firm based in Mechanicsville, Virginia. According to its website, the company provides “telework consulting services, administrative and religious staffing, transportation and roadway services, (and) professional development and training.” The “typical religious positions” staffed by the company, the site says, include music directors and musicians for “Catholic services,” as well as coordinators for Catholic religious education and youth.
The move, announced hours ahead of Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday services, was labeled “incomprehensible” at the time by Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, head of the military archdiocese, who also serves as president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Catholic lawmakers — among them, Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J. and Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla. – — also protested the decision by contacting Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.
The DHA reopened bidding in May and awarded the contract to the Franciscans June 8. As before, a team of five friars will alternate service at Walter Reed six days a week, ministering to hospitalized patients.
Continued below.
Franciscan friars return to pastoral ministry at Walter Reed in Bethesda, Md.
Franciscan priests have returned to pastoral ministry at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, two months after the center decided to end their contract.
www.oursundayvisitor.com
