Armed Forces Pastoral Care

The military chaplain and the message of Jesus Christ in today’s age of modern pluralism



Military chaplains are primarily called to relate to their comrades at the human level. In this respect the military chaplain observes the basic ecumenical spirit by enabling or giving pastoral care to those members of the armed forces who have another confession or religion.

Military chaplains live in close fellowship with the troops. In doing so, they are better able to sense, understand, and establish the personal needs of their comrades, their difficulties in military service as well as the character-based conflicts military personnel bring over from civilian life into military service. In a crisis the military chaplain escorts those concerned in a special way, and advises the commanding officer. Thus, activities and message of the military chaplain are characterized by human openness and helpful understanding.