U.S. Department
of Justice
Statement on Department of War’s Strengthening of the Chaplain Corps
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has announced bold action to prioritize religious liberty and practice in the military, executing a “top-down cultural shift, putting spiritual well-being on the same footing as physical and mental health.”
The Religious Liberty Commission commends the Department on these important steps.
“The Religious Liberty Commission applauds Secretary Hegseth and the Department of War’s quick action to restore the military chaplaincy to its full strength and influence in our armed forces,” stated Religious Liberty Commission Chairman, Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. “As we were reminded at our Commission hearing last week, the chaplaincy is foundational to the American military—a source of spiritual strength so that our servicemembers continue to serve as a force for good in the face of evil and oppression. Tragically, past administrations sought to undermine the spiritual and strategic role of the military chaplaincy.”
Chairman Patrick continued, “President Trump asked the Commission evaluate areas of American life where religion has been attacked and targeted. We learned last week just how far this targeting has gone even in our own military, through powerful testimony from military chaplains as well as former Navy SEAL Blake Martin, military supplier Kenny Vaughan with Shields of Strength, and historian Dave Barton, and others. We commend President Trump and Secretary Hegseth for their leadership in executing these much-needed reforms, which we know will continue to make America, and our military, great again.”
Commission Vice-Chair Dr. Carson, founder of American Cornerstone Institute, echoed the Chairman’s analysis, reflecting that “Faith is a cornerstone--a bedrock freedom--in our country. Secretary Hegseth has courageously countered attempts to ‘replace real religion with social religion.’ By doing so, he is ensuring that our servicemembers will receive the spiritual freedom and support they need to defend our country with a spirit of ‘power, love, and a sound mind.’”
Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward, who addressed the Commission at last week’s hearing, shared the following statement, “Our servicemembers are faced with life-and-death decisions on a daily basis. To manage the constant pressure and danger, they must have the ability to see their work through an eternal perspective. The Chaplain Corps, established by General George Washington, has long supported soldiers in cultivating this ability, offering critical moral and spiritual formation. Yet, past administrations degrade this vital ministry into a vague program of ‘feelings management,’ rather than a rigorous grounding in authentic, selfless, and courageous faith. I am grateful for Secretary Hegseth’s clear-sighted leadership and decisive action to ensure the Chaplain Corps and the Army Spiritual Fitness program are restored to their full strength.”
Speaking from the perspective of a clergy member, Commissioner Bishop Robert Barron stated, “As a member of the Commission on Religious Liberty, I applaud the announcement from Secretary Hegseth that military chaplains will be permitted to speak clearly about God and the things of God. For too long, chaplains have been compelled, out of concern for political correctness, to operate more as psychological counselors then as representatives of their religious traditions. This restriction effectively compromised their religious liberty and that of the soldiers, sailors, and airmen they serve. So, I am pleased to see this change.”
Related:
Religious Liberty Commission, Hearing on Religious Liberty in the Military