Veteran Vatican diplomat named to head U.S. military archdiocese

Published: 2007-11-19

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI has named Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, a Cleveland native who is apostolic nuncio to the Dominican Republic and delegate to Puerto Rico, to head the U.S. Archdiocese for the Military Services. The appointment was announced in Washington Nov. 19 by Archbishop Pietro Sambi, apostolic nuncio to the United States. Archbishop Broglio, 55, succeeds Archbishop Edwin F. O'Brien, who was installed as head of the Baltimore Archdiocese Oct. 1. "I am indeed privileged to take the reins from Archbishop O'Brien," said Archbishop Broglio at a Nov. 19 news conference at the military archdiocese's headquarters in Washington. The new military archbishop, who has never been in the armed forces, said he has encountered members of the military in countries where he served in the diplomatic corps. He said his primary goal as military archbishop will be to find more chaplains. Currently there are about 300 Catholic military chaplains serving U.S. troops.

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