Walter Reed Hospital Cancels Spiritual Care for Sick and Wounded Veterans
Removing God and faith from the military and veteran communities that the government is supposed to provide care and support to will have dire consequences at home and on the battlefield.
The Biden administration continued its war to remove Christianity from every aspect of government that it can by cancelling a contract to provide pastoral care to veterans at Walter Reed hospital mere days before the Easter holiday.
The Franciscan priests of Holy Name College, who had been providing care to veterans and service members at Walter Reed, were issued a cease-and-desist letter resulting in only one Catholic Army Chaplain for all of the Walter Reed Medical Center, and that chaplain is in the process of separating from the Army.
As reported by the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA (AMS), an organization created by Pope John Paul II with the intent to provide pastoral ministries to U.S. service members and veterans:
“The government’s cease-and-desist order directed the Catholic priests to cease any religious services at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. This order was issued as Catholics entered Holy Week, the most sacred of days in the Christian faith, in which they participate in liturgies remembering Jesus’ passion, and leading the church to celebrate the Resurrection on Easter morning.”
This resulted in priests not being available for sick veterans on Good Friday or Resurrection Sunday, with only one chaplain responsible for all services on those days.
The General Counsel of the AMS, Ms. Elizabeth A. Tomlin, Esq., wrote to Walter Reed’s contracting offices “numerous times throughout Holy Week asking for the Franciscans’ Catholic ministry to be reinstated at least through Easter. Walter Reed National Military Medical Center has not responded to these requests from the Archdiocese.”
Walter Reed did release a statement in the wake of severe backlash stating, “Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC) is a welcoming and healing environment that honors and supports a full range of religious, spiritual and cultural needs,” the hospital said.
“Tomorrow, Catholic Easter Services will be provided to those who wish to attend. Services will include a celebration of Mass and the administration of Confession by an ordained Catholic Priest,” the statement continued.
“For many years, a Catholic ordained priest has been on staff at WRNMMC providing religious sacraments to service members, veterans and their loved ones. There has also been a pastoral care contract in place to supplement those services provided.
“Although at this time the Franciscan Diocese will not be hosting services on Sunday at WRNMMC, parishioners of the Diocese while patients at WRNMMC may still seek their services,” the statement concluded.
Biden spokesman John Kirby refused to comment on the reports of Walter Reed cancelling the religious contract and referred reporters to the Department of Defense.
America has witnessed the effects of a military that does not march onto the battlefield with God as its primary offensive loadout. It has seen the confusion of top military brass who do not seek the Lord for wisdom and make poor tactical decisions because of it.
As wars with China, Russia and Iran loom on the horizon, this is not the time for American military might to go into battle without the Lord. The results would be disastrous and demoralizing much like the Israelites in their defeat to the Philistines and the capturing of the ark of the covenant in 1 Samuel 4.
Pray that the glory of the Lord does not depart America as it did Israel. {eoa}
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James Lasher is Staff Writer for Charisma Media and is a United States Marine Corps veteran.
