State troopers resign from chaplain roles due to prayer policy

By Ray Reed

Published: September 24, 2008

Six Virginia State Police troopers have resigned from their roles as chaplains within the department, saying their commander told them they could no longer mention Jesus Christ during public prayers.

The situation erupted into a heated political exchange Wednesday between two legislators and Gov. Timothy M. Kaine’s office.

Two Republican members of the House of Delegates criticized Kaine after state police Col. Steven Flaherty instructed the chaplains last week to offer non-denominational prayers at public events such as graduations and memorial services.

Kaine spokesman Gordon Hickey said the criticism was a political attack, and that Kaine supported Flaherty’s action because a recent court ruling made it necessary.

Six of the 17 troopers and officers who serve as state police chaplains have resigned, state police spokeswoman Corinne Geller said.

Flaherty’s order did not affect the chaplains’ ability to mention Christ during funerals or when they counsel troopers privately, Geller said.

Del. Morgan Griffith, R-Salem and House majority leader, issued a news release saying, “With one misguided action, the Kaine administration has put the chaplains in an impossible position,” leaving them no choice but to resign.

Del. Charles W. “Bill” Carrico, R-Grayson County, joined Griffith in criticizing Kaine and Flaherty.

Griffith said Geller’s description of Flaherty’s instructions “backed off a little from what troopers were actually told” by the commander.

One of the troopers came away with an understanding that they weren’t supposed to mention Christ unless a trooper or relative requested it, Griffith said.

Geller said, “The Colonel did not consult with Governor Kaine nor his administration. This was an internal matter and an internal decision made alone by the superintendent.

“There was no written directive nor were chaplains specifically told in their meetings with the executive staff and colonel that they could not use ‘Jesus Christ’ in their prayer,” Geller said.

Carrico and Griffith said Flaherty’s order violated the chaplains’ First Amendment rights concerning freedom of religion.

Carrico said he was drafting legislation to overturn the action.

“This decision wasn’t based on any complaints about the chaplains, because I’ve been told there haven’t been any,” said Carrico, a former state trooper.

Flaherty’s office issued a statement Wednesday saying his instruction to chaplains was prompted by a federal appeals court ruling in July.

The ruling by a three-judge panel of the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a Fredericksburg City Council requirement that prayers during its meetings be non-sectarian.

Carrico said Flaherty’s new policy for chaplains was driven by “fear of getting a complaint, instead of actually having to deal with one.”

Carrico said he had no proof that Flaherty’s policy originated with Kaine’s office, but the governor’s office knew about the concerns and did not respond.

Hickey, Kaine’s spokesman, said, “Governor Kaine is a man of faith and has dedicated his life to that service.” For two years as a young man, Kaine worked with a Catholic missionary in Honduras.

“It is disappointing that Del. Griffith would make such a political attack on Governor Kaine’s faith,” Hickey said.

“I don’t believe I did,” Griffith responded. “We certainly attacked the administration’s policy.”

Griffith added, “I believe we are defending both his and my faith. Although I am not Catholic, I am a Christian.

“The last time I checked, the Catholic Church was in favor of Jesus Christ,” Griffith said.

“The problem is putting gag rules out there on folks” expressing their faith, the majority leader said.

Carrico said the role of trooper-chaplains was important after the Virginia Tech shootings April 16, 2007.

Chaplains notified families, helped them identify bodies, and counseled other troopers who worked on the shootings.

Troopers often face challenges in “dealing with the emotional issues caused by the number of deaths they have to deal with — things that people don’t normally see,” Carrico said.

“State police have psychological counseling” available for troopers, he said, “but some people would rather talk to someone who has really been there and seen it,” such as another trooper.

“These guys are very effective,” Carrico said.