CHAPLAIN ALLIANCE FOR RELIGIOUS LIBERTY October 5, 2011 – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact CHAPLAIN ENDORSERS at info@chaplainalliance.org or call (571) 293-2427
Chaplains Say No to Use of Military Chapels for Same-Sex “Marriage” Ceremonies
WASHINGTON — Chaplain endorsers, representing more than 2,000 military chaplains, announced Wednesday, that they will be joining with Archbishop Timothy Broglio of the Archdiocese for Military Service, and not perform same-sex wedding ceremonies under any circumstances.
Members of Chaplain Alliance for Religious Liberty are concerned about the Pentagon’s 30 September memorandum that authorizes chaplains and military chapel facilities to be used for “any private ceremony.” While the memorandum acknowledge a chaplain’s right to not participate in same-sex “marriage” ceremonies – a right not given by the Pentagon, but by the chaplain’s faith group – the new policy makes it clear that the Department of Defense has opened a new chapter for ministry in the military.
Dr. Ron Crews, Executive Director of Chaplain Alliance for Religious Liberty said, “By dishonestly sanctioning the use of federal facilities for ‘marriage counterfeits’ that federal law and the vast majority of Americans have rejected, the Pentagon has launched a direct assault on the fundamental unit of society – husband and wife.”
Crews added: “We call once again for Congress to affirm that the federal definition of marriage applies to the Department of Defense and that no federal facilities may be used to circumvent federal law. In addition, we call on Congress to enact a ‘Right of Conscience’ clause in the Revised Title 10 code to ensure that no American, and especially not our service members, be forced to deny their religious beliefs.”
Chaplain Alliance for Religious Liberty is an organization of chaplain endorsers, the faith groups that provide chaplains for the U.S. military and other agencies needing chaplains. The endorsers in Chaplain Alliance speak for more than 2,600 chaplains serving the Armed Forces.
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