www.byzcath.org Forums General Discussions Town Hall Eastern Bishop at Archdiocese of the Military

The pastor at St John Chrysostom BC church in Seattle was a chaplain in the USAF and is now retired as a LTC or COL? (Fr Stanichar).

Related to military chaplains thread: What is this - not to mention Jesus Christ by name in the uniform? Wait and see if a Muslim chaplain gets fried for mentioning the name of the "prophet" This is political correctness gone rampant. And at the same time chaplains are being actively introduced in the Russsian military.

Navy Chaplain May Face Court-Martial For Praying
Clergyman Prayed In Uniform Outside White House

POSTED: 4:39 am PDT May 4, 2006

NORFOLK, Va. -- A chaplain stationed at Naval Station Norfolk said he could face court-martial for praying in uniform outside the White House.

Lt. Gordon Klingenschmitt said he prayed at a March 30 protest opposing Department of Defense rules forbidding military chaplains from invoking the name of Jesus Christ.

He's accused of violating an order not to appear in uniform at news conferences in support of personal or religious issues.

The issue seems to hinge on whether his praying at the event was permissible participation at a bona fide religious service. Klingenschmitt is rejecting non-judicial punishment in favor of trial by court-martial.

In addition, he's filing a complaint against the Navy claiming the threat of punishment against him amounts to religious harassment and he's appealing to the White House to end what he claims are the military's attempts to take reprisals against a whistle-blower.

First, there is a thread currently out about this subject.

The issue at hand is participating in a public demonstration/protest/etc. while in military uniform when ordered not to by either the President or the chaplain's officers appointed over him.

The root of the problem goes deeper for Christians in the military than praying in uniform at a demonstration, but we have to win lesser battles before declaring the war's victory.

Bottom line, servicemembers follow orders given to them or they can expect to face administrative or judicial punishment. As an officer, the chaplain should either follow the order and fulfill his oath of office or resign his commission.

Cyril, Officer who takes neither Oath of Office nor Christian Faith lightly

To the point. I had spotted that but preferred an American to do this one first.

ICXC
NIKA

Pavel,

Bless! I am silenced by my Oath of Office but thank you for your BLUF reply.

Peace in Christ,

Cyril

My Dad is a retired Major (Royal Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers) and his father was army before him. All my uncles and a good number of my aunties were in the services and some of the younger family still are.

The issue as I saw it was the uniform. Another issue is protesting in this fashion at the official residence of his Head of State. It's just not on.

ICXC
NIKA