U.S. Air Force Maj. Matthew Gray, a priest of the Diocese of Charleston, served as an Air Force chaplain for nine years before returning to South Carolina. Today, he is administrator of St. Andrew Church in Clemson and a chaplain for Clemson University, Tri-County Technical College and Southern Wesleyan University.

“As a chaplain, I ministered to airmen, soldiers and Marines in times of difficulty in different topics,” Father Gray said. “My ministry ranged from celebrating Mass in base chapels to offering confession and counseling in field environments, advising leadership on the moral and ethical implications for air strikes, and simply being a priestly presence in moments of stress, loss or uncertainty.”

Priests like Father Gray serve across all six military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard and Space Force. Catholic chaplains, who are commissioned officers, also minister to the Reserves, National Guard, federal military academies, VA medical centers and federal employees. More than 1.8 million Catholics worldwide rely on them.

These chaplains belong to the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA (AMS), a global archdiocese with no geographical borders. Unlike other dioceses, AMS receives no government support or parish collections and depends entirely on private donations. Its $9.3 million annual budget funds chaplain support, religious education and tribunal services for military families.

In 2012, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops approved a national collection for AMS every three years on the Sunday before Veterans Day. The next collection is the weekend 
of Nov. 8-9 this year.

Archbishop for the Military Services Timothy P. Broglio said the AMS mission is simple: “Serving those who serve.”

“I can think of no one more in need of spiritual care than those who put their lives on the line, defending our great nation and all for which it stands, including the right to the free exercise of religion,” he said.

Yet many service members go weeks without Mass or confession because of the priest shortage. “Church studies have shown that the military itself is the greatest source of new priest vocations year in and year out,” Archbishop Broglio added.

To foster those vocations, AMS runs the Co-Sponsored Seminary Program (CSP) with dioceses and religious orders across the U.S. Seminarians train for diocesan priesthood while preparing to serve as military chaplains. Costs are shared equally between the home diocese and AMS.

The Diocese of Charleston currently has three seminarians in the CSP — Daniel Fitzgerald, Joseph Ytem and Patrick Duggan. Nationwide, 38 men are enrolled, with an average annual cost of $25,000 each to AMS. Over the next five years, expenses are projected at $5 million.

After ordination, these priests serve at least three years in their dioceses before entering military chaplain training. Meanwhile, donations also support AMS’s $7 million annual budget for evangelization, marriage enrichment, sacramental records, vocations and veterans’ outreach.

Bishop Jacques Fabre-Jeune, CS said the Diocese of Charleston is proud of its role.

“Our diocese is honored to have Father Gray and others in the service of our Armed Forces. Please consider giving to this year’s second collection to support them in their ministry to those men and women who give of themselves daily to protect and defend our nation. And, we hope they will always follow the law and the Constitution,” he said.

During his nine years in the Air Force, Father Gray completed two combat deployments, including one to Saudi Arabia, and supported hurricane relief efforts.

“Both in parish life and in military service, I have found my greatest privilege as a priest is to stand with people in their moments of deepest need — whether in the sacraments, in counsel or simply in presence,” he said. “It has been the greatest joy of my priesthood to walk with God’s people in so many different places and circumstances, bringing Christ’s love and hope wherever he sends me.”

Father Gray added that serving as a chaplain taught him how deeply people hunger for God.

“I witnessed countless moments of grace in the midst of very difficult circumstances. It also impressed on me how important the priesthood is — not just in parishes, but wherever God’s people are found.

“Serving as a military chaplain was one of the most humbling and rewarding chapters of my priesthood. I carry with me a deep gratitude for the men and women I met, for their courage and sacrifice, and for the privilege of being their priest in those moments. Being a priest in combat boots going where other priests are unable to go was a privilege of a lifetime,” he said. 

BY RON KUZLIK

Learn more 
For more information about the Archdiocese for the Military Services USA and the triennial National Collection, visit milarch.org/nationalcollection.