G
Gouletdr
Guest
As a Chaplain Candidate I feel compelled to answer this. All chapels on a military installation are exactly that-CHAPELS. A building used for worship but are assigned no denomination. Which means the buildings are not consecrated, any faith group may use as long as a chaplain is present in the building, and the building may even be used for classrooms.
Because the United States Government recognizes Wicca, Druids, and other Pagans faith, the Armed Forces is required by law to meet the needs of those service members. Since the educational requirements for Chaplains prohibit pagan chaplains, and since they don’t hold a clergy structure, Chaplains are required to PROVIDE, NOT PERFORM, for the pagan faith groups. We never step outside of the tenents of our own faith.
Therefore, they are authorized to worship in a base chapel. The concern for the couple should be to ensure that item consecrated for use in the Catholic Service and non-consecrated items as well, are not used by the pagan group (or non-Catholic groups). I am sure that the Chaplain assigned to that particular chapel knows this and has things under control. This issue I had to deal with as a Equal Opportunity Representative/Consideration of Others Facilitator/Religious Coordinator (all before becoming a Chaplain Candidate).
I know this subject makes people uncomfortable but all service members have the right to worship how they please, especially since we “support and defend” the right to do so. My own experience with the pagan faith groups is that they are very respectful to other faith groups and the items used by other faith groups. And this spreads throughout my 12 years with the Army as enlisted and recently commissioned
The Military Archdioceses has no control over the uses of base chapels. If there is a concern, take it up with the Installation/Base Chaplain (usually they are the "Full-Bird Colonel). He/She makes the final decision.
Daniel R. Goulet
2LT, SS, MDARNG
Chaplain Candidate
Maj, CAP, MDWG
Group III MLO
Because the United States Government recognizes Wicca, Druids, and other Pagans faith, the Armed Forces is required by law to meet the needs of those service members. Since the educational requirements for Chaplains prohibit pagan chaplains, and since they don’t hold a clergy structure, Chaplains are required to PROVIDE, NOT PERFORM, for the pagan faith groups. We never step outside of the tenents of our own faith.
Therefore, they are authorized to worship in a base chapel. The concern for the couple should be to ensure that item consecrated for use in the Catholic Service and non-consecrated items as well, are not used by the pagan group (or non-Catholic groups). I am sure that the Chaplain assigned to that particular chapel knows this and has things under control. This issue I had to deal with as a Equal Opportunity Representative/Consideration of Others Facilitator/Religious Coordinator (all before becoming a Chaplain Candidate).
I know this subject makes people uncomfortable but all service members have the right to worship how they please, especially since we “support and defend” the right to do so. My own experience with the pagan faith groups is that they are very respectful to other faith groups and the items used by other faith groups. And this spreads throughout my 12 years with the Army as enlisted and recently commissioned
The Military Archdioceses has no control over the uses of base chapels. If there is a concern, take it up with the Installation/Base Chaplain (usually they are the "Full-Bird Colonel). He/She makes the final decision.
Daniel R. Goulet
2LT, SS, MDARNG
Chaplain Candidate
Maj, CAP, MDWG
Group III MLO