Word on Fire has expressed concerns regarding a potential decline in Catholic faith formation following the U.S. Army's decision to cancel chapel support contracts. This development underscores existing tensions between religious practices and bureaucratic processes, as highlighted in a recent press release.
In October 2025, the U.S. Army decided to eliminate contracts for chapel staff essential to Catholic worship and catechesis. Archbishop Timothy Broglio said that this move "dramatically reduces professional support for the Catholic community," leaving only one chaplain available for approximately 1,000 Catholic soldiers. Thibeau argued that this reduction indicates a secular misunderstanding of the importance of faith in preparing soldiers to "fight with conscience and conviction."
According to research from the RAND Corporation cited by Broglio, Catholic chaplains make up just 7 percent of the Army Chaplain Corps but serve 20 percent of the total personnel. This disparity is exacerbated by the loss of lay educators and pastoral staff.
The mission statement of the Army Chaplain Corps emphasizes maintaining "the spiritual readiness of the fighting force." Thibeau noted that removing essential infrastructure supporting sacramental life contradicts this mission and may negatively impact morale and ethical cohesion among troops.
Word on Fire, founded by Bishop Robert Barron, is a global Catholic media apostolate dedicated to proclaiming Christ through theology, art, and evangelization. The platform frequently addresses issues related to faith in public life, cultural renewal, and moral leadership, offering a Catholic perspective on current events affecting both the Church and society.
