During Father Barnhill’s 10 weeks of service to the troops this winter, he celebrated daily or weekend Masses and provided other sacramental needs, along with a second Catholic priest who was assigned to the same base, and chaplains of other faith traditions.
He served multiple branches of the military, including the Air Guard personnel where he was stationed, Army personnel recovering in the medical clinic there and Navy personnel whose planes were stationed on the same base.
Chaplains are frequently called upon to offer invocations at ceremonies. This last tour also brought the opportunity for Father Barnhill to give individualized Catholic instruction to four servicepersons. Each is completing his or her instruction at their home bases.
On this assignment, Father Barnhill helped tend to some of the most difficult parts of military service.
“Our airbase had the sad duty to lead Patriot Details,” he explained, “Prayer services for fallen warriors in Afghanistan whose bodies were being transported back to the USA for burial.”
In addition to that, Father Barnhill counseled personnel who came to the chaplain’s office for confidential assistance with work-related stress, marital problems or other difficulties.
Sometimes a person who walked in would ask specifically for a Catholic priest. More often than not, the chaplains served the personnel regardless of any difference in religious affiliation.
“Some personnel see the chaplain as a morale officer. Some see us as their pastor to care for their spiritual needs,” Father Barnhill explained.
He continued, “Sadly, a good number of the young adult military members have no religious affiliation. They see the chaplain as a staff officer for the base commander.”
Those who recognized him as a Catholic priest or got to know him personally would address him as “Father,” but most of the others would simply address him as “sir” in keeping with his rank as a military officer.
Even among military chaplains, there are some who consider themselves to be officers first and chaplains second.
(Story continues below)
Subscribe to our daily newsletter
As Father Barnhill said, however, “The debate is always won by the priest who knows his calling prior to his military commission.”
He encourages all faithful Catholics to remember service men and women in their prayers.
Printed with permission from the Southern Nebraska Register, newspaper for the Diocese of Lincoln.