From OneNewsNow.
Despite a recent Pentagon directive, a coalition of chaplain endorsers that represents more than 2,000 military ministers has pledged not to perform same-sex “wedding” ceremonies under any circumstances.
Members the Chaplain Alliance for Religious Liberty are concerned about the memorandum issued by the Pentagon September 30 that authorizes military chaplains to perform same-sex “marriage” ceremonies and military chapel facilities to be used for “any private ceremony.” (See earlier story)
Col. Ron Crews (USA-Ret.), who served as a chaplain for 28 years, is executive director of the Alliance. He says his coalition is joining the Catholic Archdiocese for Military Services to say “no” to the directive.
“They made a very strong statement saying that no Catholic chaplains serving in the military will participate in any same-sex ceremonies at any chapels. We appreciate that strong stand,” he shares. “So we just wanted to let the Department of Defense know that it’s not only the Catholic chaplains, but that some 2,000 chaplains who come from evangelical backgrounds are saying our chaplains will not participate in same-sex ceremonies in the military.”
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Wouldn’t this be grounds for a court martial? Seems to me this is headed for a messy end.
I agree that this is headed for a messy end of some kind. However, unless the law has been changed, commanders cannot legally order a chapain to violates his/her religious convictions. Therefore, a court martial would not be in order. A commander could give a chaplain a bad Officer Efficentcy Rating for not serving all of the troops, but that could be contested.
However, the fact that this is being addressed by the Catholic Church, a collition of chaplains and perhaps other denominations indicates a recognition that such changes in law or heavy handed tactics on part of commanders is a possibility.
Another problem for a chaplain could be if the denomination the chaplain represents has approved such ceremonies. Such an action by the denonmination could be used to try and pressure a chaplain to perform the ceremony. Also,like clergy in the civilian community, there are chaplains in the military who agree with civil or religious marriage ceremonies for homosexuals. That could/will create additional tension.
Thanks for the insight, Ken. I was thinking about emailing you about this to see what you thought, but you made it even easier for me! Thanks!