[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 14 (Wednesday, February 8, 2006)]
[House]
[Pages H196-H197]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
MILITARY CHAPLAINS SHOULD BE ABLE TO PRAY ACCORDING TO THEIR FAITH
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the
gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Jones) is recognized for 5 minutes.
Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I have read reports,
received letters, and seen
[[Page H197]]
documentation which verifies that suppression of religious freedom
throughout our Armed Forces is a pervasive problem, affecting military
chaplains from all denominations and religions.
Of particular concern is an incident involving Army Captain Chaplain
Jonathan Stertzbach. This chaplain who is serving our troops in harm's
way in Iraq was asked by another unit, whose chaplain had to return
home to start chemotherapy after cancer was discovered, to serve the
spiritual needs of the unit's soldiers in weekly movement to an
undisclosed FOB (Forward Operating Base). During a mission, tragically,
one of the soldiers was killed in action. The unit's Commanding Officer
asked this chaplain to perform the memorial ceremony because he had
bravely served the soldiers and risked his own life.
Before the memorial ceremony, the chaplain submitted two prayers for
review. The Brigade Chaplain attempted to remove the chaplain from
praying at the memorial ceremony because he concluded his prayer in the
name of Jesus Christ. The chaplain, adhering to his conscience and
faith tradition, said he would not strike the words Jesus Christ.
The unit's Commanding Officer intervened, explaining that Chaplain
Stertzbach volunteered to serve a different unit outside of his
assigned unit and placed his life in harm's way to provide for the
needs of the unit's soldiers. The Commanding Officer instructed that
Chaplain Stertzbach would pray according to his faith tradition.
After the incident, Chaplain Stertzbach's story reached the media.
Consequently, his answers to the media and the incident surrounding the
memorial ceremony resulted in Chaplain Stertzbach's removal from his
chapel. This is unacceptable!
Since the beginning of our nation's military, chaplains have played
an integral role, fulfilling the spiritual and emotional needs of the
brave men and women who serve--and they have always prayed according to
their faith tradition. It is in the best interest of our Armed Services
and this nation to guarantee the constitutional right of military
chaplains to pray according to their faith.
Congress of the United States,
House of Representatives,
Washington, DC, February 6, 2006.
LTG Stanley E. Green,
Department of the Army, The Inspector General, Army Pentagon,
Washington, DC.
Dear LTG Stanley Green: It has come to my attention that in
all branches of the military it is increasingly difficult for
chaplains to pray in adherence to their faith. I have read
reports, received letters, and seen documentation which
verifies that suppression of religious freedom throughout our
Armed Forces is a pervasive problem, affecting military
chaplains from all denominations and religions. Of particular
concern is an incident involving Army Captain Chaplain
Jonathan Stertzbach of the 3-6 FA HHB in Iraq. I am writing
to request that the Army Inspector General investigate
whether Chaplain Stertzbach was illegally removed from his
chapel.
This chaplain who is serving our troops in harm's way in
Iraq was asked by another unit, whose chaplain had to return
home to start chemotherapy after cancer was discovered, to
serve the spiritual needs of the unit's soldiers in weekly
movement to an undisclosed FOB (Forward Operating Base) as
well as his own battalion. During one of the missions,
tragically, one of the soldiers was killed in action. The
unit's Commanding Officer asked this chaplain to perform the
Memorial Ceremony because he had bravely served the soldiers,
and gone to the risk of convoying to the FOB (Forward
Operating Base) weekly.
Before the Memorial Ceremony, the chaplain submitted two
prayers and a meditation for the Division Chaplain and his
direct supervising chaplain to review and was approved. The
Brigade Chaplain, having just arrived from Fort Drum,
attempted to remove the chaplain from administering the
prayers of the Memorial Ceremony because he concluded his
prayer in the name of Jesus Christ in a public forum. The
chaplain, adhering to his conscience and faith tradition,
said he would not strike the words Jesus Christ.
The unit's Commanding Officer intervened, explaining that
Chaplain Stertzbach volunteered to serve a different unit
outside of his assigned unit and placed his life in harm's
way to provide for the needs of the unit's soldiers. The
Commanding Officer instructed that Chaplain Stertzbach would
pray according to his faith tradition and the prayers that he
had already submitted. The Brigade Chaplain told him to
qualify his prayer at the beginning with ``Please pray
according to your faith tradition, as I pray according to
mine'' and then close the prayer with ``in thy name we pray,
and in Jesus' name I pray.'' Chaplain Stertzbach delivered
the Memorial Meditation and prayers for the fallen hero, but
still followed orders with the `qualifier' remaining in
place.
After the incident, Chaplain Stertzbach's story reached the
media. The chaplain was directly contacted by the Washington
Times and referenced in a Washington Times January story.
Chaplain Stertzbach's incident was not printed, but he was
quoted as saying the following:
``You need to allow people to pray according to their faith
group. Many faith groups do not pray in general and generic
terms . . . For Christian groups, the name of Jesus is from
where all the power comes.''
I believe Chaplain Stertzbach answered questions fairly,
accurately, and within his legal rights. Consequently, his
answers to the media and the incident surrounding the
memorial ceremony resulted in Chaplain Stertzbach's removal
from his chapel.
I am concerned that Chaplain Stertzbach was removed without
justification. Again, I am requesting that you investigate
this incident and provide an explanation.
Sincerely,
Walter B. Jones,
Member of Congress.
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