by Jessica Rinaudo 

The Military Council of Catholic Women (MCCW) Forum will be in Cincinnati this week. As part of that event, Archbishop Timothy Broglio, who serves as both the Archbishop of Military Services and the President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), will be in town April 25-28, 2024. Archbishop Broglio will preside at Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter in Chains on Thursday, April 25, at 5:15 p.m.

What is the Military Council of Catholic Women? 

According to their website:  “The Military Council of Catholic Women connects, unites and inspires military-affiliated women around the world to grow in their Catholic faith. As a non-profit subsidiary of the Archdiocese [of Military Services], MCCW also works with military chapels across the globe, at nearly 220 U.S. military installations, to form women in spirituality, leadership and service and to support the creation and growth of Catholic women’s ministry programs.” 

Their programs are vast and widespread, ranging from leadership development and speakers, to retreats and local Bible studies. Regional coordinators across the globe assist Catholic military women in connecting with one another.

What is the MCCW Forum?

Every two years, MCCW hosts a worldwide event for Catholic women to join together to connect, unite and inspire. It provides a unique opportunity for Catholic women to share their vocational journey and military lifestyles, all while building relationships and faith communities. The location is different for each event, but this year it will take place in Cincinnati from April 25-28, 2024. 

The Archdiocese of Military Services

Many may not know that Military Services has an archdiocese unto themselves. It was created by Pope St. John Paul II in 1985 to “provide the Catholic Church’s full range of pastoral ministries and spiritual services to those in the U.S. Armed Forces. This includes more than 220 installations in 29 countries, patients in 153 V.A. Medical Centers, and federal employees serving outside the boundaries of the U.S. in 134 countries. Numerically, the AMS is responsible for more than 1.8 million men, women, and children.”

In fact, the Archdiocese of Cincinnati has three priests–Father Edward Hoffman (Army, Summer 2024), Father Michael Kapolka (Air Force, Summer 2024) and Father Stephen Hughes (Air Force, Summer 2026) –who presently serve in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, but will soon be on loan, as chaplains for the Archdiocese of Military Services. They will be commissioned military officers of the U.S., and their assignments will come from the Office of the Chief of Chaplains of each respective branch of the U.S. military.

Archbishop Timothy Broglio

Since 2008, Archbishop Broglio, a priest of the Diocese of Cleveland has been the shepherd of the Archdiocese for Military Services. His history ranges from associate pastor and lecturer at Notre Dame College in South Euclid, to Secretary of the Apostolic Nunciature in Abidjan, Ivory Coast and of the Apostolic Nunciature in Asuncion, Paraguay. Additionally, he served as Chief of Cabinet to Angelo Cardinal Sodano, Secretary of State to Pope St. John Paul II and desk officer for Central America from 1990 to 2001.

In addition to his work as the Archbishop for Military Services, Archbishop Broglio will continue in current position as president of the USCCB through 2025.

To read more on Archbishop Broglio, click here.