US-Europe World Affairs

This year’s International Military Chiefs of Chaplains Conference ‘IMCCC’ took place on the virtual platform from February2-3, hosted by the United States (U.S European Command). The conference brought together over 100 military chaplains from 40 countries of NATO members and partner nations across the world.

The theme of this year evolved on ‘Religious Freedom’ 

“Religious freedom is a fundamental human right and the first among rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution, as well as many constitutions in the world.”……….

“Religious freedom provides the right to think, express, and act upon what one deeply believes.” highlighted USEUCOM Chaplain (U.S. Air Force Col.) Kleet Barclay. ©USEUCOM Feb.04. 2022

The IMCCC is an annual event established and hosted originally by the U.S European Command ‘USEUCOM’ in Stuttgart in February 1990. Since then the conference has been held every year in different parts of the world hosted by the members and representatives of NATO states and partner nations. The United States ‘USEUCOM’ supports the conference as its co-host every year.

One of the main spheres of this yearly military event is to explore and build the shared values, spirituality, religious support, understanding of other faiths and beliefs , and enduring friendship.

“We are deeply unified by our shared human connection of faith and yearning for peace.” expressed Dr. Franz-Josef Overbeck, the Catholic bishop of the German armed forces in The International Military Chiefs of Chaplains Conference in 2020 © U.S Army

Additional:

• Chaplains from 40 countries meet to address critical issues, social well-being at worldwide conference, USEUCOM 2022
• Chaplains explore religion’s role fostering well-being and resilience during pandemic, USEUCOM 2021
• The 31st International Military Chiefs of Chaplains Conference, U.S Army 2020

By  Catherine S. Schmidt, Editor in Chief  

Sources: U.S European Command/U.S. Air Force Captain Christina Judd/U.S Army