A decision by the federal government to forbid civilian Catholic chaplains from celebrating Mass on military bases during the shutdown has been reversed.

"We're now being told priests can return to work," said John Schlageter, general counsel for the Archdiocese for the Military Services, to the Catholic News Service.

Schlageter said he did not know if the decision to return chaplains to their bases was the result of the severe backlash the administration received over the move, or because of an October 6 declaration by Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel to consider more employees to be "essential", thus returning them to work.

As CNS reports, the military diocese estimates that about 50 civilian chaplains were unable to conduct services this past weekend because of the shutdown.

"Almost all GS (general services) priests and most contract priests were unable to work Sunday," Schlageter said. "We do have situations of door-lock, signs that said, 'No Catholic services this weekend.'"

The closure created such a firestorm of criticism that the U.S. House passed a resolution by a vote of 400-1 authorizing the return of the chaplains to their ministry.

"I think the House resolution -- (with a vote of) 400 to 1 -- speaks for itself," Schlageter said.

The bill has since been stalled in the Senate.

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