Archbishop Broglio Speaks on Military Ministry in Face the Nation Interview

Archbishop Timothy Broglio, who shepherds 1.8 million Catholics across the United States Armed Forces, sat down with CBS News's Margaret Brennan for a wide-ranging interview taped April 2 that put the moral weight of America's ongoing war with Iran squarely at the center of the country's military chaplaincy debate.

The CBS News article tied to the interview captured his most striking assessment: that it is "hard" to see the Iran war "as something that would be sponsored by the Lord." The remark came less than 48 hours after President Trump addressed the nation on Operation Epic Fury, and as the conflict entered roughly its second month with thousands more U.S. Marines being dispatched to the region.

Broglio had already issued two formal statements when U.S. forces struck Iranian nuclear sites in Operation Midnight Hammer, speaking in his dual role as president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and as shepherd of the military archdiocese. As USCCB president, he wrote that "we beg Almighty God to end the proliferation of acts of war and to inspire dialogue before more innocent people are harmed." Speaking as military archbishop, he added: "My prayers are with them. They once again find themselves in a situation of armed conflict."

The interview also drew on reforms reshaping the chaplain corps. Hegseth announced on March 24 that he would sign a memo directing military chaplains to replace the rank insignia on their uniforms with their religious insignia. Chaplains would retain their rank, but it would not be shown. Broglio endorsed the move, stating: "The chaplain serves as a reminder of the holy and the dignity of the human person and leads worship. Any other question is secondary to those purposes."

Broglio has praised Hegseth for broader efforts to restore the chaplaincy toward its spiritual mission, noting that Hegseth "definitely wants to return the chaplaincy to responsibility for religious services, religious instruction, and advising the commanders." In December, Hegseth ended the use of the official spiritual fitness guide, which he said never mentions virtue and only references God once, but makes 11 references to "feelings" and nine to another term.

The archdiocese faces a priest shortage that complicates pastoral outreach. Broglio has said there are about 190 priests serving the archdiocese, though it "should probably have about 500 to actually meet the needs." The challenge is compounded by the global footprint of U.S. forces: "The United States has troops all over the world," Broglio said.

In January, Broglio had already broken through with a controversial statement on the BBC's "Sunday" program, saying U.S. soldiers could in good conscience disobey orders to participate in an invasion of Greenland. He said that for some soldiers, "within the realm of their own conscience, it would be morally acceptable to disobey that order," while acknowledging the act would place the individual "in an untenable situation." The Face the Nation interview brought that framework of military conscience directly to bear on the Iran conflict at its most acute moment.

Days before the taping, Broglio celebrated a Chrism Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, where more than 300 faithful including active-duty and retired service members filled the Crypt Church. In his homily, he told those gathered: "Our hearts are wrenched because we see our faithful slaughtered once again in foreign lands." The interview, scheduled to air April 5, extends that pastoral sorrow into the national debate over a war that has already claimed American lives and whose end remains far from clear.