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There are no atheists in foxholes.”
“When people get jammed up they go back to their roots, and one
of the things most people are brought up with is some
understanding of a higher being. When a crisis comes along, we naturally revert to that comfort zone, but my role is not to preach
Catholicism but encourage officers to hold onto whatever (they)
believed in from the very beginning – also to hold on to your brothers
and sisters in uniform. That higher entity is your foundation; that’s
why I am so looking forward to this NJSPBA Chaplains Corps, and
expanding this group to include all of the major denominations so
we can match up as best we can the person with (his or her) spiritual
background.”
Father John continued, “The effective chaplain identifies his or her
role as focused on the benefit of the law enforcement community,
not the other way around where they look for the law enforcement
community to benefit them. This basically means we are there to be
of service because of our respect and concern (for) the officers, not
(because of) perks or benefits that come our way. We want this to be
a volunteer corps of religious men and women who have respect for
and appreciation of the men and women who patrol our streets.”
I asked him to discuss what is happening now to expand spiritual
support through the PBA. “Being invited to be part of the P.A.R.T
team made me more aware of the complexity and issues that cops
face, (and adopt) a deeper appreciation,” he said.
“For sometimes, it is a crisis and sometimes it is an ongoing situation or stressor that needs to be addressed in a different way. Crisis
is crisis, regardless (of) whether it is immediate or a long-term expe-
rience. As we are expanding the spiritual support network working
with the P.A.R.T team, we are looking for those men and women of
all religious denominations who may already be familiar with many
of the challenges and issues our law enforcement officers face – spiritual leaders willing to make themselves available as part of a
response team when crisis or circumstances warrant.
“New Jersey is a big state and we have (over) 30,000 officers to
serve; therefore, having a corps of chaplains who are sensitive to the
special needs of law enforcement officers could be beneficial in
showing our appreciation and support for each of them. How much
better it would be for us to be able to work with the individual than
to have to come in contact with a surviving family member. At
several upcoming NJSPBA meetings, as well as the convention, we
will be actively soliciting the contact information of many wellestablished long-term and new chaplains who already work with the
locals to comprise our first list, with the hope of bringing them all
together in the fall for our first statewide meeting of PBA chaplains.”
I then asked how clergy might respond to cops, effectively. “First
is the presence,” said Father John.
“I have been to (some) debriefings where we have sat around and
talked for hours, and others where there was no interest in speaking,
but the (mere) presence, availability and accessibility says a lot to an
officer in need. We are looking to support any cop and family members; sometimes that help is obvious and sometimes it is just going
to be there in whatever way it is needed.
“Sometimes I meet someone getting off the midnight shift for a
cup of coffee because (there is) a problem at home; it is whatever is
needed at the time. Most clergy know our job is never a nine-to-five;
you never know where or when you will be asked to help. Blue
Masses when we do not have memorials – the years we have had no
losses – were my favorite services. The purpose of the Blue Mass is
twofold: to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice, and
also to recognize law enforcement professionals who go unnoticed
and unappreciated. To come together to support one another, and
to allow us to thank them is a crucial part of why we (celebrate) the
Blue Mass.”
I asked, in closing, what Father John wanted to share with officers
who would be reading this article. “Whether we are talking about the
article or services as a whole, it would it be nice if we did not need
this stuff,” he said.
“John’s Gospel tells us there is no greater love than to lay down
one’s life for one’s friends, and some do that in the ultimate way, but
every time they put on a uniform and go out and serve others, (officers) live those words. We, the communities that they serve, need to
always be there to thank them and support them in what they do.
Personally, it is an honor to be invited into the law enforcement community, and my gratitude to be part of such dedicated men and
women. Cops are spiritual, and connected with God – maybe not
always in an organized religion, but I think they have a deep spirituality in law enforcement, which is unique.” Amen, Father John,
Amen. d
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MAY 2016