Pope Francis Names New Auxiliary Bishop for the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA (AMS)

WASHINGTON, DC — Pope Francis today named a new auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA (AMS). He is Father Gregg M. Caggianelli, Ch Col USAF, a nearly 30-year veteran of the United States Air Force. Father Caggianelli’s pontifical appointment brings to five the total number of auxiliary bishops serving under His Excellency, the Most Reverend Timothy P. Broglio, J.C.D., Archbishop for the Military Services, and current president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). Father Caggianelli’s episcopal ordination will occur at a time and place to be set by Archbishop Broglio and the new bishop-elect sometime in the next few weeks.

Commenting on the appointment Archbishop Broglio said: “I am very grateful to Pope Francis for this sign of concern and care for the faithful of this global archdiocese. Bishop-elect Caggianelli will be a tremendous asset to ministry in the AMS. Our prayers are with him, his mother, and the seminary community as he prepares for a new page in his service to the Church.”

Bishop-elect Caggianelli said:

“I am most humbled and grateful to Pope Francis for this appointment as an auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese for the Military Services. After the initial shock and disbelief, and much time begging for God’s mercy, I was filled with true praise and thanksgiving to God.

“Since I was a little boy, there have only been two things I have wanted to do in life. At age eleven, I started thinking of being a priest and at age fourteen I had a great desire to serve in the military. Since 1986, I have had the honor of wearing the uniform in one capacity or the other, and as a priest, serving as a chaplain in the Air Force Reserves--all of this has been a life-giving experience that has been filled with joy.”

Currently, Chaplain Caggianelli is the Mobilization Assistant to the U.S. Air Force Academy Chaplain, U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA), Colorado Springs, CO. As a member of the Superintendent’s Headquarters Staff, he establishes guidance and advises on all matters of religion, ethical concerns, morale, and quality of life, impacting assigned personnel. In this capacity, Father Caggianelli serves as senior Reserve advisor to the USAFA Chaplain and as senior team leader of the Academy’s Reserve chaplains and religious affairs airmen.

Father Caggianelli was commissioned in 1990 as a USAF line officer, serving with the Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH. After leaving active duty in 1996, he entered the Air Force Reserves while completing priestly formational studies at Saint Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary in Boynton Beach, FL. Father Caggianelli was ordained a priest in 2002 and reappointed as USAF chaplain in 2003.

In his civilian position, Chaplain Caggianelli serves as the Vice Rector, Dean of Human Formation, and assistant professor at Saint Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary in Boynton Beach. Previously he served as associate pastor, vocation director, and parish administrator in the Diocese of Venice in Florida.

In accepting the new role, Father Caggianelli counts many blessings. “I am deeply grateful for the unconditional love of my Mom and Dad. God has blessed me with dear friends who both support me and call me to task when I have failed, and I am grateful to the people of the Diocese of Venice and the men and women I work with at St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary.

“Throughout the Scriptures, for some reason, God chooses the most unlikely of people. Jesus called a motley lot of fishermen, tax collectors, and sinners as His disciples. He simply asked them to follow Him. God continues to call each of us to follow Him in a unique way, and we trust in His promise to remain with us always.

“As I begin this new journey, I look forward to assisting Archbishop Broglio and the other bishops, chaplains and good people who serve the Archdiocese for the Military Services. Most of all, I look forward to giving my life in service of our Lord in the care of our soldiers, sailors, airmen, coastguardsmen, guardians, veterans and diplomats throughout the world.”