The New Chaplain

A nice article about our new Department chaplain:

• As a full-time chaplain of the Chicago Police Department, the Rev. Daniel Brandt says a big part of his job is just being there in times of need.

  “It’s not so much what we say. It’s being present, being available,” Brandt said. “A lot of times [the officers] just want to talk. They just went through a grueling experience. They’ve had a taste of their own mortality.”

  Brandt had been pastor of Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Church, 653 W. 37th, while serving as a part-time chaplain. A little more than two months ago, he was made a full-time chaplain.

  As chaplain he is always on call to respond to any kind of situation in which a police officer or family member requires spiritual support or comfort. With a police department that is largely Roman Catholic — Brandt estimates at least three out of four police officers identity themselves as Catholic — he has his work cut out for him.

If you'll recall one of Father Nangle's last FOP newsletter posts, the Department brass was prepared to take a huge hit by naming someone other than Father Brandt to the post. Someone so unpopular with the rank-and-file that Nangle seemed worried the entire ministry might not survive the backlash. Fortunately, it didn't come to that.



Welcome aboard.