America is about to get a new bishop — but one with arguably the most distinctive resume around.
His amazing story, from the Catholic Review in Baltimore:
On one of the bloodiest days of the Iraq War – April 9, 2004 – Father F. Richard Spencer became the link between this world and the next for many of the mortally wounded.
Insurgents had attacked a large convoy of gas trucks that Good Friday, firing multiple mortar rounds at a United States base on the outskirts of Baghdad International Airport. Father Spencer, a U.S. Army military chaplain, administered the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick and prayed with men and women whose faces wore what he remembered as glazed looks of shock and disbelief.
“In the moment, you do your prayers, then move to the next situation, because it’s continuous chaos,” said Father Spencer, then attached to the Army’s 1st Calvary Division.
“You just offered prayers that they would see the face of God that very day and you trust and hope,” he said. “We had both Iraqis and Americans die. I didn’t know who was Muslim or who was Christian – but they all got a prayer.”
Once Father Spencer and his soldiers made it into a concrete bomb shelter, he stood on a trash can and offered general absolution as the shelling continued.
“It was a life-changing day for me,” he remembered. “Our men and women in uniform are able to face hardships and they’re trained to make good decisions in the midst of chaos. Their resiliency is inspiring.”
Father Spencer is about to expand his service to U.S. military men and women around the world.
In May, Pope Benedict XVI appointed him to be the next auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese for U.S. Military Services. The 59-year-old Baltimore priest will be installed Sept. 8 during a 2 p.m. liturgy at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C.
Remaining on active duty, the Alabama native will become the first auxiliary bishop for the U.S. military archdiocese able to enter war zones. He will have unprecedented access to military personnel serving in most difficult circumstances.
There’s much more, so check out the rest at the link.
posted September 1, 2010 at 12:58 pm
This is a wonderful story. I’ve always had great respect for military chaplains, from Fr. Mulcahy on M*A*S*H*, to actual chaplains. Fr. Bill Dorwart, CSC, (Congregation of Holy Cross) one of my professors and mentors at the University of Portland, recently re-entered the Navy as a chaplain, and I have the utmost respect for him and what he’s doing. He’s on an aircraft carrier (I bellieve it’s the U.S.S. Ronald Reagan), so he’s got quite a big parish on his hands. God Bless all of our chaplains.
Incidentally, did anyone notice the Freudian slip in the article? Discussing the events of that Good Friday, it said he was attached to the “Army’s 1st Calvary Division.” An easy mistake to make, and one that gets made, but it’s actually quite fitting and almost poetic, seeing as how the events were on Good Friday. It says something quite powerful! “Here comes the cavalry over the hill, to save us,” now becomes, “Here comes the representative of Calvary, that blessed hill, to save us.”
posted September 1, 2010 at 1:11 pm
I have only the highest regards for anyone who brings Christ to those in mortal danger and who puts themselves in this same mortal danger to do so. “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13 God bless all those who stand firm in the fear of death and who call upon the name of the triumphant Christ. War is the punishment that man brings upon himself for his sins. Yet even in our time of punishment, God does not leave us. He stands with us and continues to ask us to turn to Him..
posted September 1, 2010 at 10:14 pm
Nice story — but come on deacon, don’t be so sloppy with your Catholic terminology — he will be ordained a bishop — auxiliary bishops are not installed.
[Ikilope...I didn't write that he'd be "installed." The story - and that terminology - is from the Catholic Review, the diocesan newspaper for Baltimore. Dcn. G.]
posted September 2, 2010 at 12:47 am
Deo gratias!
posted September 2, 2010 at 11:48 am
God bless our chaplains. For us to have a bishop on active duty is blessing upon blessing.
posted September 2, 2010 at 8:42 pm
I was fortunate to serve in Viet Nam with a wonderful Catholic Chaplin who went where he was needed – we had Mass when he got to us. I am so very grateful for his service to us as I am for all of those serving the Archdiocese of Military Services. My diocese actually – I was received into “full communion with the Catholic Church” in Okinawa as an 18 year old Marine as a result of the effort and support of our Chaplain and the Camp Hanson Chaplin. God Bless and keep you safe. In Christ, Dcn. Geary