Father Emil Kapaun is to be awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor later this year for his heroic service as an Army Chaplain in prison camps during the Korean War. Father Kapaun was declared a Servant of God in 1993 and is now under consideration for canonization by the Congregation of Causes of Saints in Rome.
Father Kapaun, a parish priest from Kansas served as an Army Chaplain in Korea, courageously rescued wounded soldiers during battle and after taken as a prisoner of war, devoted himself to serving the many starving and sick prisoners. His priestly service was legendary and many soldiers survived due to the saintly priests actions. Tragically, Father Kapaun would die in the prison himself due to neglect by North Korean prison authorities.
Father Emil Kapaun was a man of faith and a priest of great love who embodied a selfless courage in providing for his brother soldiers. His church has long recognized the heroic virtues he exemplified during his life of priestly ministry and it is fitting that his nation will bestow its highest award upon him. As the nation honors a soldier and chaplain for his bravery and heroism, let us pray that this holy Servant of God may be numbered among the canon of saints who are the heroes of our church.
