Photo By Cpl. Triah Pendracki | Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, the Archbishop for the Military Services, is welcomed...... read more read more
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AL ASAD AIR BASE, Iraq — Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, the Roman Catholic Archbishop for the Military Services, recently visited Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, as part of a tour of units supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Upon his arrival at Al Asad, which serves as the headquarters for Multi-National Force - West, Broglio met with senior commanders aboard the base, including Brig. Gen. John E. Wissler, the deputy commanding general of MNF-W, and Brig. Gen. Robert S. Walsh, the commanding general of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward). Broglio followed these visits with a tour of the base and a celebration of Mass at the air base's main chapel.
"The archbishop came to support the troops during Holy Week at the invitation of General [Ray] Odierno," said Lt. Cmdr. William Payne, the deputy chaplain for MNF-W and a Methodist preacher. "It is very important for service members to feel connected to their church and their faith. The archbishop embodies the church, and is a visible way by which many sense the presence of God."
Unlike most archbishops who hold lead pastoral efforts in a particular region, the responsibilities of the Archbishop for the Military Services extend to wherever U.S. military forces and Department of Defense civilians are deployed. Broglio himself commented on the enormity of overseeing the spiritual and pastoral health of and services to Marines, sailors, soldiers and airmen scattered across the globe.
"One of the difficulties of being archbishop of an archdiocese over which the sun never sets is that it is very difficult to come into contact with all the members of the faithful," he said, speaking to a group of service members and civilians, "so every opportunity I have to visit you is very precious."
"The archbishop's ministry is not confined to an office or region alone," explained Navy Lt. Ulysses Ubalde, a Catholic chaplain serving with Regimental Combat Team 8, "but his ministry is around the world wherever the military serves."
A native of Ohio, Broglio was ordained into the priesthood in 1977, and has since served in archdioceses throughout the United States and abroad, including the Ivory Coast, Paraguay and Italy. He was ordained as an archbishop by Pope John Paul II in March 2001, and on Jan. 25, 2008, Broglio became the fourth man to be appointed as the Archbishop for the Military Services.
Following the mid-morning Mass and lunch at one of Al Asad's dining facilities, Broglio donned an Army-pattern ballistic vest over his black clerical suit and collar and mounted a Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle for a tour of the Iraqi countryside and local villages. Upon returning to Al Asad, Broglio visited Abraham's Oasis, a lush patch of palm trees and ponds near the headquarters of the 7th Iraqi Army Division, and a place of great cultural and religious significance to the Iraqi people because of its reputed mention in the book of Genesis.
During a second Mass held in the late afternoon, Broglio took another opportunity to address the service members and civilians who gathered in the chapel.
"I want to say a word of thanks for the opportunity to visit you today and learn a bit more of what goes on in this part of the world," he said. "I appreciate the contribution you're making to the future of this country, and it is certainly a pleasure to visit you."
"You all know about sacrifice," he added, commenting on the service of the men and women deployed Iraq. "It is something precious to put your lives on the line, and that's an irreplaceable gift."
Ubalde commented that Archbishop Broglio's visit to Iraq was important because it allowed him to look out for the needs of the Catholic and other religious communities, and most importantly, remain connected with the people he serves.
"His visit was well received and our Marines and sailors were ecstatic to see and meet the archbishop," said Ubalde, who assisted Broglio in the celebration of Mass and remained with the archbishop throughout the day. "I was personally blessed and grateful to see our archbishop visiting us here in Iraq because this shows me how much he really cares for and loves our men and women in uniform."
| Date Taken: | 06.07.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 06.07.2009 09:47 |
| Story ID: | 34662 |
| Location: | AL ASAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 209 |
| Downloads: | 144 |
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