Longtime Air Force chaplain and active reservist ordained a bishop to serve US armed forces

BOYNTON BEACH, Fla. (OSV News) -- After witnessing her son vested in episcopal garb, Barbara Caggianelli began to cry happy tears as she said, "Thank you God."

The emotional moment was one of many for a local priest described as a wonderful son, great preacher and man of God with a deep sense of prayer, who was ordained as a bishop to serve the U.S. armed forces.

For three decades, Father Gregg M. Caggianelli had served in the military as a chaplain and active reservist, earning the rank of colonel in the U.S. Air Force.

On May 9 he became the first U.S. bishop ordained after the May 8 election of Pope Leo XIV.

Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio of the U.S. Archdiocese for the Military Services ordained the Diocese of Venice priest as an auxiliary bishop for the military archdiocese at St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary in Boynton Beach, where the new bishop has served for years as a priest, professor and administrator.

"I've been in the military longer than I've been in the seminary so it's my two worlds colliding," Bishop Caggianelli said after his ordination.

Along with serving as a professor of homiletics, Bishop Caggianelli served as dean of formation, which he said gave him the heart to care about how the priests are doing, "especially our military chaplains who are isolated, by themselves." His role to encourage the priests "to encourage love among their people" will continue in his role as episcopal shepherd. In that sense, he said the parable of the Good Shepherd has even more meaning as a bishop.

"Whenever we are given a new challenge, a new responsibility, new opportunity, it is Jesus calling us to go deeper, really calling all of us to go into deeper waters to trust him more, to follow him, and to proclaim that he is risen from the dead," Bishop Caggianelli said. "I love (the service members) very much. I'm inspired by their service and their dedication."

In his homily, Archbishop Broglio spoke about the divided secular world, where life after death, judgment, truth and even the existence of God are questioned. Many times, the impact of the Gospel is diminished. He urged his "little brother" to take the words of Pope Leo XIV to heart when he said we are called to unity and to mission.

"Those must remain special watchwords to you," the archbishop said. "Jesus praised that the disciples be enveloped in the father's love, which makes them holy and empowers them for their mission in the world."

Archbishop Broglio spoke about the symbols of the new office given during the ordination -- the ring, mitre and crozier. He said while the symbols draw attention during events and Mass, they should not draw attention away from Jesus Christ, who is always the "center of our attention and the object of our life pilgrimage."

"With mitre, staff and ring, embrace the people and lead them to that kingdom that does not pass away. Consecrate them in the truth for his grace is sufficient for us."

Unity and mission should be at the forefront of ministry among service members, which will be challenging, the archbishop shared. Bishop Caggianelli is one of five auxiliary bishops now serving with Archbishop Broglio. They bring the Gospel to 1.8 million Catholics worldwide in all branches of the U.S. military and those hospitalized in the nation's VA medical centers or working for the government as civilians beyond U.S. borders.

That translates to miles to travel, many communities to visit and "misunderstandings to clarify." But the mission is steadfast: To respond to the "special challenge to stir to flame the gift of God that stirs in us first in the waters of baptism."

"We are challenged to rekindle the faith of so many men and women who have drifted away and whose embers of faith have grown cold. Be a father to them and draw them back into the life of grace," the archbishop said.

Bishop Caggianelli was ordained as a priest of the Diocese of Venice, and its own episcopal shepherd, Bishop Frank J. Dewane served as a co-consecrator, along with Bishop David L. Toups of Beaumont, Texas, former rector of the Boynton Beach seminary.

Among the other bishops who laid hands upon the priest's head invoking the Holy Spirit were prelates of the military archdiocese and from across Florida, including Archbishop Thomas G. Wenski of Miami, Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito of Palm Beach, Bishop William A. Wack of Pensacola-Tallahassee, retired Bishop Felipe J. Estevez of St. Augustine and Auxiliary Bishop Enrique Delgado of Miami.

"Bishop Gregg welcome to the episcopal brotherhood," Bishop Wack said, describing the newly ordained prelate as a hard worker but "very down to earth and a joyful person."

Sitting with the new bishop on the altar were Father Alfredo I. Hernández, rector and president of the seminary, and Msgr. Robert R. Cannon, retired chaplain for the U.S. Air Force and a fellow priest of the Diocese of Venice. Bishop Caggianelli credited Msgr. Cannon for encouraging his discernment of priestly vocation.

With his experience as a chaplain, as a serviceman himself and as a professor, Msgr. Cannon said his friend's appointment was a "perfect fit."

"We have been dear friends for a very long time," Msgr. Cannon, who previously served as chancellor for the military archdiocese. "He's very funny and has a great sense of humor. He works hard, he loves Jesus, he's smart. He loves people. He will be a fine bishop."

After completing the semester at the seminary, Bishop Caggianelli will stay local even though he is now part of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, which has its headquarters in Washington. He will serve military installations across the state of Florida.