Catholic archdiocese condemns Walter Reed for axing priest contract forward of Holy Week

The Catholic Archdiocese for the Military Services says Walter Reed National Medical Military Medical Center is denying veterans and repair members their non secular rights after ordering a group of native clergymen to stop offering pastoral care on the hospital days earlier than the beginning of Holy Week.

The archdiocese mentioned in a press release that Walter Reed issued a “cease and desist order” to Holy Name College, a bunch of Franciscan clergymen who’ve offered non secular companies to the hospital for almost 20 years, after the federal government terminated the friary’s contract on March 31.

“It is incomprehensible that essential pastoral care is taken away from the sick and the aged when it was so readily available,” mentioned Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio in a press release condemning the transfer.

The order was issued simply earlier than Holy Week, thought of to be probably the most sacred days on the liturgical calendar wherein Christians observe Jesus’ dying and resurrection.

The archdiocese mentioned the contract that was beforehand held by Holy Name College was awarded to a “secular defense contracting firm that cannot fulfill the statement of work in the contract.”

The archdiocese mentioned that there’s one Catholic Army chaplain assigned to Walter Reed, leaving the hospital with what they are saying is insufficient staffing to offer companies throughout Holy Week and past.

“I fear that giving a contract to the lowest bidder overlooked the fact that the bidder cannot provide the necessary service,” Archbishop Broglio mentioned. “I earnestly hope that this disdain for the sick will be remedied at once and their First Amendment rights will be respected.”

The archdiocese mentioned it has requested that the Franciscans’ ministry be reinstated at Walter Reed via Easter however has not acquired a response from Walter Reed.