Military chaplains in Romania: worship under the shadow of war

Military chaplains in Romania: worship under the shadow of war

How do you celebrate Christmas under the special circumstances of a foreign assignment? This question arose for Father Stefan Havlik, who recently served at the Romanian Air Force Base Constanța. In the last few days he blessed his Sigmaringen congregations with an Advent wreath and looked back on an intensive period of service. Havlik was the only priest on site, where he was active together with around 170 soldiers who monitor the Bundeswehr's Eurofighters. This force is part of a NATO contingent securing Romanian airspace, which is in close proximity to Crimea, a territory annexed by Russia. The soldiers are prepared for possible conflicts and Father Havlik is an important support.

But what exactly does Havlik do in action? He lives in a container, always has an open ear for the soldiers and offers them conversations, church services and spiritual support. Military chaplaincy plays a crucial role in the pastoral care of soldiers and their families, an aspect that is particularly clear through the work of Father Havlik. He mentions that discussions often have to take place at an appropriate time - especially before the planes take off, when the soldiers are particularly tense. This shows that military chaplaincy is much more than just an offer during the holidays; it is a permanent and active support in the soldiers' everyday lives.

Background of military chaplaincy

Military chaplaincy, also known as “MilSeels”, is a civilian area of ​​the Bundeswehr and is divided into Protestant, Catholic and Jewish communities. More than half of the soldiers in Germany in 2020 came from a Christian church Wikipedia can be read. It is important to emphasize the broad support that military chaplains provide, whether in deployments abroad or in echoing the service at home. Annual soldier pilgrimages to Lourdes and regional church services are an integral part of their work.

The importance of military chaplaincy is also highlighted by Eva Högl, the Bundestag's military commissioner, who emphasizes the important role of these chaplains for the soldiers. In its 2024 annual report, it describes that 91% of soldiers support military chaplaincy. Abroad, the figure is an impressive 95%. Such figures make it clear how much soldiers rely on this pastoral support, regardless of their faith or religion, which shows that the offers must be tailored to many needs.

Father Havlik has been a military chaplain since 2018 and previously gained experience in the navy in Weyarn and Wilhelmshaven. Even though he wears a protective suit when deployed, he still uses a lot of his spiritual knowledge to help the soldiers in their special situation. During his stay, historical connections between Sigmaringen and Romania emerged, which he explained to the soldiers and underlined the importance of the Danube.

At the end of the year, Father Havlik was replaced by a Protestant colleague before Christmas. He celebrated Christmas mass in Sigmaringendorf while Havlik finished his mission at the base. Necessary accompaniment services for the soldiers, whether at celebrations or in crisis situations, remain a central part of his work. A variety of tasks await the military chaplains, who discuss not only spiritual but also social issues with the soldiers.

Military chaplaincy is a deeply rooted institution in the Bundeswehr and is financed by the state, while the religious communities are responsible for the content. An expanded network is necessary to further strengthen this special service for all soldiers, especially when it comes to new plans such as Muslim military chaplaincy, which is to be introduced in the near future.