From Military.com:
“Navy Changes Course, Says
Catholic Services Will Continue on Southern California Bases”
Roman Catholic services will
continue on board Southern California Naval bases at least for the next year,
Rear Adm. Bette Bolivar, the commander of Navy Region Southwest, announced
Tuesday, reversing a plan to suspend most contracts for priests in an effort to
cut costs. That plan, first reported by the Union-Tribune Saturday, would have
left base chapels at most installations in San Diego devoid of any Catholic
services due to a shortage of priests in the active duty Chaplain Corps. The
priests at these installations are civilians and work under contract. News of
the canceled contracts led to a public outcry from religious and political
leaders. "Contrary to previous discussions, this year we will continue
contracted religious ministry programs and services similar to what we've had
in place previously," Bolivar said in a statement. "We will also
continue to assess how best to meet the needs of our Sailors and their families
throughout the region." Rev. Jose Pimentel, a priest who has led services
at Naval Base Coronado and Naval Air Station North Island for eight years, said
he is grateful for Bolivar's decision. "It's wonderful news,"
Pimentel said when reached by phone Tuesday. "I'm grateful that they
realize the importance of the ministry we provide to the sailors, Marines and
Coast Guard members — people of all diverse backgrounds — we're here for
them." Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-South Carolina, wrote on Twitter Sunday that
the Navy should "look at canceling Admirals, not priests." Archbishop
Timothy Broglio, head of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, questioned
the Navy's rationale for cutting priest contracts. In a statement Tuesday, he
said the Southern California contracts amounted to $250,000, or
"approximately .000156%" of the Navy's budget. "It is difficult
to fathom how the First Amendment rights of the largest faith group in the Navy
can be compromised for such an insignificant sum," Broglio said in the
statement. The changes to the Navy's religious ministries are part of a
national realignment of services, to focus on younger, active-duty service
members. It was announced on Aug. 20. It is unclear how many priests this will
affect nationwide. Bolivar's decision only affects Navy Region Southwest, which
includes bases in California and Nevada.
^ This is an update from a
previous post. I’m glad the public and political outcry has forced the US Navy
to end its plan to openly discriminate against Catholic Sailors. No US Military
Branch should ever be allowed to do this for any of the recognized religions (Jews,
Muslims, Protestants and Catholics) in the US. ^
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.