Episcopal Chaplains Recognized in Washington Cathedral Service
Diocesan Press Service. May 12, 1975 [75183]
WASHINGTON, D. C. -- "Half of the world's population has gone over to a gospel of atheism and materialism," according to Bishop for the Armed Forces Clarence E. Hobgood in a sermon preached at Washington's National Cathedral on Sunday, May 11.
Bishop Hobgood told the Cathedral congregation that there is "no lack of preachers for atheism and materialism" in the United States as well as in such countries as Russia and China. He said that if Christianity is to survive at all it, too, must have competent preachers.
Bishop Hobgood, who is the Episcopal Church's chief pastor to chaplains, other military personnel and their dependents throughout the world, preached at a special service in recognition of Episcopal chaplains. He was welcomed to the National Cathedral by the Very Rev. Francis B. Sayre, dean, who said that "the deepest and truest ministry that many of us have ever had has been a ministry as a chaplain in the armed forces. "
Dean Sayre called the military chaplaincy "a total ministry, as was that of Christ on this earth." The dean is a member of the national advisory council to the Bishop for the Armed Forces.
Several Army, Navy and Air Force chaplains participated in the service as ushers and as bearers of the bread and wine during the offertory procession. The Epistle was read by Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Alston R. Chace, USAF, and Chaplain (Col.) Charles L. Burgreen (USA Ret.) read the Gospel. Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Alister C. Anderson, USA, led the prayer of intercession. The May 11 service immediately preceded a week-long retreat for East Coast area chaplains scheduled for the College of Preachers in Washington.
Bishop Hobgood said in his sermon that one of the great needs of the church today is a renewal of vocation in the priesthood. He said that "today we face a malaise of doubt and questioning of priesthood itself" by some priests and that he spends much time during his regional chaplains conferences considering the subject of priesthood with his chaplains.
"Chaplains can teach the whole church a great deal about the ministry of presence," said Bishop Hobgood. He warned the Cathedral congregation that they should be prepared to defend "that which has been committed to you " whenever the " forces of secularism are at work in the church. "