ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Forty years ago, Pope John Paul II authorized the creation of a stand-alone archdiocese in the United States for military chaplains, paving the way for future chaplains, such as Father Donelson Thevenin, to serve the Lord while serving their country in uniform.
Father Thevenin, the lone Catholic chaplain at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, said he’s proud to serve in the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, the name given to the newly created archdiocese in 1985.
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“The military archdiocese is unique because it covers the world. It’s global. Wherever we have a U.S.-based installation, that’s part of it,” explained Father Thevenin, who was commissioned an ensign in the U.S. Navy in 2001 — four years before he was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Brooklyn — and has risen to the rank of lieutenant commander.
Before Pope John Paul II’s move, Catholic chaplains chaplains in the armed forces were guided by the archbishop or cardinal of the Archdiocese of New York.
But in 1985, the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, was born. It is headquartered in Washington, D.C., and has been headed by Archbishop Timothy Broglio since 2008.
According to its website, the archdiocese covers 220 military installations in 29 countries, 153 Veterans Administration medical centers, as well as federal employees working in 134 countries, serving approximately 1.8 million men, women, and children.
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However, the number of Catholic chaplains has decreased over the past 24 years, according to figures from the archdiocese. At the time of 9/11, there were more than 400 Catholic chaplains on active duty. Today, there are just over 200.
Father Thevenin was released from his duties in the Diocese of Brooklyn by Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio in 2012 and became a priest in the Archdiocese for the Military Services.
In his military career, Father Thevenin has served aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz and the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima. He has also worked at Arlington National Cemetery, among other assignments.
In his current assignment, he oversees the spiritual needs of hundreds of Catholic midshipmen at the Naval Academy. And for the most part, he does it singlehandedly as the only Catholic chaplain there. There is a priest who assists him from time to time, but he is the lone Catholic chaplain assigned to the Naval Academy full time.
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“When Pope John Paul II decided to create the military archdiocese, he didn’t have in mind to create a seminary. There was an understanding that priests serving in the military will have to come from dioceses,” Father Thevenin explained. “As a result, there’s always a shortage of priests in the military because there’s a shortage of priests in dioceses.”
Father Thevenin estimated that 30%-40% of the 4,400 midshipmen are Catholic.
“Our daily Masses are well attended. The midshipmen take their faith seriously,” he said. “And the midshipmen make use of the sacrament of reconciliation that is offered to them. We have scheduled confessions, but they could make appointments to come to confession in my office.”
Father Thevenin said he tries to get across to the midshipmen that he is there for them. “As chaplains, we help them navigate through their problems, so that they know they’re going to get to the finish line,” he said.