Chief of Chaplains Visits Notre Dame to Honor Father Hesburgh

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Rear Admiral Mark L. Tidd, chief of navy chaplains, declared Father Theodore M. Hesburgh, president emeritus of the University of Notre Dame, an honorary Navy chaplain in a campus ceremony April 17.

The ceremony reflected both Hesburgh's and the university's history with the U.S. Navy and fulfilled Hesburgh's dream since his ordination in 1943 of becoming a Navy chaplain.

Hesburgh, now 95, said he was forced to set aside his desire to serve as a Navy chaplain in obedience to his vows as a member of the Congregation of Holy Cross. He instead obtained advanced degrees and went on to teach theology. He later became the longest serving Notre Dame President for 35 years, between 1952-1987.

Among his numerous awards, he is recognized as the principal architect of the 1964 Civil Rights Act and was awarded the Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor, later that year for his work alongside Martin Luther King Jr. to champion civil rights in America.

The efforts to fulfill Hesburgh's dream of becoming a Navy chaplain began with Father Bill Dorwart, a holy cross priest and current Navy chaplain at Naval District Washington.

Hesburgh played an instrumental role in mentoring and leading Dorwart to naval chaplaincy. Dorwart brought Hesburgh's dream to Tidd's attention and suggested the possibility of making Hesburgh an honorary Navy chaplain.

"I had personally met him aboard the Theodore Roosevelt and knew about his commitment to serving our Navy and Marine Corps," Tidd said. "From crusty senior officers and salty chiefs to the newest ensigns and seamen, he enthralled them in Mass, in conversations on mess decks, and in ready rooms."

"Father Hesburgh has had a strategic impact on our nation," Tidd continued. "He has also had a personal impact on many people, including Father Dorwart."

Tidd could think of no one who better exemplified the Navy Chaplain Corps' motto "vocati ad servitium."

"The Latin words on the Chaplain Corps seal are translated as 'called to serve,'" he recalled, "and in my mind, there is no one more deserving to be named an honorary Navy chaplain than someone who has answered the call to serve our nation, the call to serve the world, and the call to serve God."

Hesburgh said he was touched by the honor, and both he and the University would continue to cherish a connection with the U.S. Navy.

"I can't tell you how much I am touched to be honored by my Navy brothers... The Navy is welcome at Notre Dame," said Hesburgh. "Notre Dame is better because we've had the Navy here as long as we've had ROTC.

"I can feel even closer to our Naval ROTC students. I will continue to serve our Navy and country in every way possible. Anchors away," Hesburgh added.

Reflecting on the ceremony, Capt. Earl Carter, commanding officer of Notre Dame's Navy Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) said he was glad Hesburgh received the honor and that Notre Dame's NROTC battalion could benefit from Hesburgh's example.

"I thought it was a faithful tribute to a very, very deserving leader," Carter said. "I'm honored we were able to do the presentation in front of our battalion of midshipmen, since Father Hesburgh's selfless service to the nation provides them with such a shining example as they look forward to their naval careers."

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