MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Archbishop Edwin O'Brien, Roman Catholic archbishop for the archdiocese for the military services, visited the Station April 19 as part of a tour of military installations in the Pacific Rim.
While on Station, the archbishop visited with Station residents, as well as performing a confirmation ceremony for the Station's Catholic youth. Overall, the tour was designed to spread a simple message to Catholics serving overseas.
"I visited to reassure people of the importance of their work," said O'Brien. "I reminded them of the high calling that is theirs, and to encourage them in the good work they are doing."
The encouragement was welcomed by many of the service members O'Brien visited with.
"I think its great that he comes and actually talks to service members," said Cpl. Alicia Gomez, Combat Service Support Detachment 36 Logistics embark noncommissioned officer. "Some of us are away from our homes and family, so it's a good reminder. When you have other Catholics around, you feel like you have your family."
The archbishop is in charge of the largest archdiocese, with 1.4 million Catholics, with 371 uniformed priests and 150 civilian priests in veterans' hospitals.
"We serve any Catholics in the U.S. armed forces, wherever they serve, their families, 173 veterans hospitals, and any civilians working for the government overseas, like Department of Defense Dependant Schools teachers," said O'Brien.
Although O'Brien and others like him can not always be there for service members, he sees another group that is.
"More and more I see commanders as real pastors who show concern for the whole person and the whole community," added O'Brien. "They care about the physical, emotional and spiritual side of their people."
The archbishop, who served as an Army chaplain during Vietnam with the 82nd Airborne Division, says that service members can face unique challenges that the church tries to assist them with.
"Service members have to work at keeping families intact with increased demands placed on them," he added. "I think the average military family can help fill this need in their religious practice. So as Catholics, we want to provide them the best opportunity to practice their faith, whether near or far from home."
Since the terrorist attacks in September, these difficulties have increased, noted O'Brien, as well as the thankfulness of the American people.
"There's a heightened awareness and appreciation of the military," he added. "Much more is being asked of them, and therefore of their spiritual strength. That's where faith comes in."