Head military chaplain praises dedicated priests for pandemic work

As Masses return to military barracks around the country, Fr Seamus Madigan has praised the dedication and hard work of military chaplains during the pandemic.

His comments come as attendance of in-person worship restarted fully in military settings across the country, following a short delay in reopening churches in them.

Fr Madigan, the head chaplain of the Irish Defence Forces, said that churches in military settings reopened fully May 16, adding that “all the chaplains are in place and still in ministry, with full services provided overseas as well”.

“We had a conference last September and it was clear that military chaplains have been handling the challenges of the pandemic very well,” Fr Madigan said.

The military chaplains continued to reach out to military personnel throughout the pandemic, though their work was restricted in line with public health guidelines.

“People appreciated the different pace of life, and our being less busy saved lives,” Fr Madigan continued. “I am proud of the way we acquitted ourselves.

“It’s a privilege to be part of this service and to work with such a great team. We kept going and we’ve a good spirit among ourselves, so long may it continue.”