A Navy chaplain who faced termination of his 14- year career without retirement, partly because he prayed publicly "in Jesus' Name" has accepted a new three-year contract with the U.S. Navy.
In a news release, Chaplain Lieutenant Gordon James Klingenschmitt said that nine months after being told he was ineligible for a contract renewal without a "positive endorsement" from his commanding officer, he began a hunger strike in front of the White House on Dec. 20 and appeared on national television on Dec. 21.
In the news release, Klingenschmitt said that within 24 hours of his appearance on TV the Chief of Naval Chaplains renewed his contract.
Klingenschmitt said in the news release, "I accept the Navy's offer to let me finish my career, but I still can't wear my uniform in public. I won't end my fast until they give me back my uniform and let me pray in Jesus' Name."
Two weeks ago, Klingenschmitt said in the release, he was stripped of his uniform for all public appearances. That means, Klingenschmitt said, he is not allowed to talk about Jesus in public unless he is wearing civilian clothing.
What Happened?
In a speech, Klingenschmitt explained the circumstances leading up to his predicament. "The Chief of Navy Chaplains told me in writing that if I pray publicly 'in Jesus name,' that I'm denigrating other faiths. That same week he told the Washington Post, 'we never tell chaplains how to pray' because we don't want to violate their First Amendment rights. His public statements and private statements contradict."
