Timothy Paul Andrew Broglio KC*HS (born December 22, 1951) is an American Catholic prelate who has served as Archbishop for the Military Services, USA, since 2008 and as president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops since 2022. Broglio previously served as Apostolic Nuncio to the Dominican Republic and Apostolic Delegate to Puerto Rico from 2001 to 2008.


Timothy Paul Broglio
Archbishop for the Military Services, USA
President of the United States
Conference of Catholic Bishops
Bishop Broglio in 2015
ChurchRoman Catholic Church
ArchdioceseMilitary Services, USA
AppointedNovember 19, 2007
InstalledJanuary 25, 2008
PredecessorEdwin F. O'Brien
Previous post(s)Apostolic Nuncio to the Dominican Republic
(2001–2007)
Apostolic Delegate to Puerto Rico (2001–2007)
Titular archbishop of Amiternum (2001–2007)
Orders
OrdinationMay 19, 1977
by Sergio Pignedoli
ConsecrationMarch 19, 2001
by John Paul II
Angelo Sodano
Giovanni Battista Re
Personal details
Born (1951-12-22) December 22, 1951 (age 72)
DenominationRoman Catholic
Alma materBoston College
Pontifical Gregorian University
Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy
Pontifical North American College
MottoQuaerite regnum Dei
(Seek God's kingdom)
Coat of armsThe Coat of Arms of Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio is not shield, but a chalice. It is rounded on three sides that flow from the cross and episcopal hat.
Styles of
Timothy Paul Broglio
Reference style
Spoken styleYour Excellency
Religious styleArchbishop

Broglio has gained attention for his opinions on LGBT personnel serving in the US military and on homosexuality being a root cause of the church sexual abuse scandal.

Early life and education

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Timothy Broglio was born December 22, 1951[1] in Cleveland Heights, Ohio and attended St. Ignatius High School. After graduating from high school, Broglio attended Boston College, where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in classics.

Broglio entered the Pontifical Gregorian University after graduating from college, earning a Bachelor of Sacred Theology degree while residing at the Pontifical North American College.[2]

Priesthood

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Broglio was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Cleveland by Cardinal Sergio Pignedoli on May 19, 1977. Broglio then served as an associate pastor at St. Margaret Mary Parish, in South Euclid, Ohio, later remarking that the assignment was "the best two years of [his] life".[1]

Returning to Rome in 1979, he studied at the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy and graduated in 1983; He also earned his Doctor of Canon Law degree from the Gregorian, and joined the Vatican’s diplomatic corps. After serving as secretary for the nunciatures to the Ivory Coast (1983–1987) and to Paraguay (1987–1990), Broglio worked at the Vatican Secretariat of State as desk officer for Central America. He then served as personal secretary to Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Angelo Sodano.[2]

Apostolic Nuncio and Delegate

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On February 27, 2001, Broglio was appointed apostolic nuncio to the Dominican Republic, as well as apostolic delegate to Puerto Rico, and titular archbishop of Amiternum.[3] He received his episcopal consecration on March 19, 2001, from Pope John Paul II, with Cardinals Angelo Sodano and Giovanni Battista Re serving as co-consecrators. His consecration, and the days leading to it, were recorded and used by National Geographic in their 2001 documentary, "Inside the Vatican."[4]

Archbishop of the Military Services, USA

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Broglio celebrating Mass at the Naval Academy Chapel in Annapolis, Maryland during the COVID-19 pandemic in October 2020

Pope Benedict XVI named Broglio head of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA on November 19, 2007.[2] He was installed on January 25, 2008, at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. During his tenure, Broglio has voiced opposition to the Affordable Care Act's contraceptive mandate and the repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell, and showed support for the Trump administration's 2017 ban on transgender individuals serving in the United States military.[5]

USCCB President

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On November 15, 2022, at the fall Plenary Assembly of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Broglio was elected USCCB president. [6]

Aside from his native English, Broglio is fluent in Italian, Spanish, and French,[7] and is a board member of Catholic Distance University.[8]

Viewpoints

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COVID-19 vaccine exemptions

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In October 2021, Broglio released a statement supporting the military's granting of exemptions from COVID-19 vaccination mandates on the basis of service members' conscience-based objections.[9]

LGBT personnel in the military

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Broglio opposed the repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell policy from 1993 to 2011 that regulated service by LGBT personnel in the US military. In 2013, Broglio opposed the Pentagon granting the same benefits to same-sex married couples as to other married couples.[10] He also supported the Trump administration's ban on transgender individuals serving in the military.[5]

Sex abuse scandal

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In response to a letter from a military spouse complaining about a homily delivered in a base service, Broglio wrote:

“There is no question that the crisis of sexual abuse by priests in the USA is directly related to homosexuality,” Broglio wrote. “[Ninety percent] of those abused were boys aged 12 and over. That is no longer pedophilia.”[11]

Honors

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b O’Grady, Robert M. (November 23, 2007). "BC alumnus named to head Archdiocese for the Military Services". The Pilot. Catholic News Service.
  2. ^ a b c "Rinunce e Nomine, 19.11.2007" (Press release) (in Italian). Holy See Press Office. November 19, 2007. Retrieved December 3, 2019.
  3. ^ "Rinunce e Nomine, 27.02.2001" (Press release) (in Italian). Holy See Press Office. February 27, 2001. Retrieved December 3, 2019.
  4. ^ Inside the Vatican (film). 2001.
  5. ^ a b Case, Mary Anne (2019). "Trans Formations in the Vatican's War on "Gender Ideology"". Signs: Journal of Women in Culture and Society. 44 (3): 639–664. doi:10.1086/701498. S2CID 149472746.
  6. ^ "Broglio: conservative, continuity, or compromise?". The Pillar. 2022-11-16. Retrieved 2022-11-16.
  7. ^ "RINUNCE E NOMINE". press.vatican.va. Retrieved 2022-11-17.
  8. ^ "About The Most Rev. Timothy Broglio, JCD". Catholic Distance University. Retrieved 13 October 2021.
  9. ^ Howe, Elizabeth (October 12, 2021). "Catholic Troops Can Refuse COVID Vaccine, Archbishop Declares". Defense One.
  10. ^ CNA. "Archbishops decry military gay benefits plan". Catholic News Agency. Retrieved 2022-08-25.
  11. ^ "Air Force Chaplain Under Investigation For Blaming 'Effeminate' Gay Priests For Church Abuse Scandals". Task & Purpose. 2018-09-10. Retrieved 2022-08-25.
  12. ^ "Real Comisión para Estados Unidos de América". Orden Constantiniana (in Spanish). Retrieved 2022-11-16.
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Catholic Church titles
Preceded by Archbishop for the Military Services
January 25, 2008 – Present
Incumbent
Diplomatic posts
Preceded by Apostolic Nuncio to the Dominican Republic
2001–2007
Succeeded by
Incumbent
Diplomatic posts
Preceded by Titular Archbishop of Amiternum
2001–2007
Succeeded by