Archbishop of the Archdiocese for the Military Services Visits Camp Lemonnier
27 December 2024
From LT Elizabeth Mickus
Archbishop of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, Timothy Broglio, visits Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti (CLDJ) this holiday season, Dec. 20, 2024. During the visit, Broglio discussed the importance of spiritual fitness, inspired hope for deployed service members away from friends and family and provided religious services for CLDJ residents and allied partners.
"Spiritual fitness and readiness are very important," said Broglio. “Those defending our country and its interests have to be in shape; not just physically, but also spiritually and emotionally.”
Archbishop of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, Timothy Broglio, visits Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti (CLDJ) this holiday season, Dec. 20, 2024. During the visit, Broglio discussed the importance of spiritual fitness, inspired hope for deployed service members away from friends and family and provided religious services for CLDJ residents and allied partners.
"Spiritual fitness and readiness are very important," said Broglio. “Those defending our country and its interests have to be in shape; not just physically, but also spiritually and emotionally.”
Broglio is responsible for providing pastoral ministries and spiritual services to the U.S. Armed Forces. He is charged with pastoral care for Roman Catholics in all branches of the military, hospitalized veterans and civilians serving the federal government beyond U.S. borders and their families.
"I appreciate somebody of his position taking the time to come to CLDJ, visit the troops and provide religious support," said Lt. j.g. Ryan Hardy, CLDJ transportation officer.
During the visit, all residents of CLDJ, regardless of spiritual background, were invited to celebrate Mass with the Archbishop and attend an open discussion forum at the base chapel.
“I was happy to meet the Catholic community at Mass and learn about the mission of Camp Lemonnier," said Broglio. “I hope to encourage and bring a message of greetings and hope this time of year.”
The opportunity to celebrate the holiday season with the Archbishop is one way leadership at U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) and CLDJ continues to support spiritual fitness and readiness of forward-deployed service members in the AFRICOM AOR.
Camp Lemonnier is an operational installation that enables U.S., allied, and partner nation forces to be where they are needed to ensure security and protect U.S. interests. The installation provides world-class support for service members, transient U.S. assets and 36 local tenant commands.
U.S. Africa Command, one of 11 U.S. Department of Defense combatant commands, is responsible for employing broad-reaching diplomacy, development, and defense approaches to foster partnership efforts to promote regional security, stability, and prosperity. U.S. AFRICOM’s area of responsibility consists of 53 African states, more than 800 ethnic groups, over 1,000 languages, vast natural resources, a land mass that is three-and-a-half times the size of the U.S., and nearly 19,000 miles of coastland. Working alongside its partners, AFRICOM counters transnational threats and malign actors, strengthens security forces and responds to crises.