Military hospital chided for shift in Catholic pastoral care

The management of Walter Reed National Military Medical Center has drawn criticism from a prominent archbishop -- and some members of Congress. The reason: Its decision not to renew a contract for Franciscan priests to provide pastoral care, and to hire a secular firm to oversee provision of those services going forward. For 20 years, priests from the Holy Name College Friary in Silver Spring, Maryland, had ministered to service members and veterans hospitalized at Walter Reed — a renowned medical facility in nearby Bethesda. Walter Reed said it notified the Franciscans in March that their contract would not be renewed, and that another bidder for the new contract had been selected -- defense contractor Mack Global.