The secular organization that has, reportedly, been awarded the contract to replace the Catholic priests of Holy Name College at Walter Reed military hospital doesn’t just specialize in providing “administrative and religious staffing.”

During Holy Week, Walter Reed National Military Center issued a “cease and desist order” to the Franciscan priests, who had been providing religious services and ministering to the spiritual needs of the hospital’s Catholic patients.

The move “violates First Amendment Right to Free Exercise of Religion,” the Archdiocese for Military Services, USA (AMS) said in an announcement, responding to Walter Reed’s decision.

While Walter Reed maintains that it still has one Catholic chaplain to provide the sacraments to the hospital’s Catholic patients, the archdiocese notes that he is “in the process of separating from the Army.”

In a statement provided to CNSNews.com, Walter Reed notes that the contract with the priests was not canceled, but simply allowed to expire:

“WRNMMC did not terminate the contract; the contract was up for renewal and rebidding. The
Catholic priests who previously provided care were not awarded the new contract.”

…

“The contract with Holy Name College was not terminated it expired. Holy Name College was aware of the expiration dates when the prior contract was issued and signed.”

It also says that the contract is still under review and that it cannot yet reveal the name of the contractor chosen to replace the priests of Holy Name College:

“We are currently reviewing the current contract and are unable to share specifics.”

The statement does suggest, however, that the new contract will be awarded to Mack Global LLC:

“Q9: Who is the new contractor mentioned as a for-profit secular company?
“A9: Mack Global LLC”

On its website, Mack Global LLC cites as its “core competencies:

The Mack Global website bills the company as a “one-stop procurement contractor for janitorial supplies, industrial machinery, aggregates and raw materials, and a vast selection of other products and equipment.” It also says the company provides “products ranging from gym equipment and tactical gear accessories to watertight doors.”