U.S. Army threatens military chaplains with court martial for "religious, conscience" objection to homosexuality

I have been warning for years that this was coming. 

Gaudium et Spes No. 16 of the Second Vatican Council teaches us that, "In the depths of his conscience, man detects a law which he does not impose upon himself, but which holds him to obedience. Always summoning him to love good and avoid evil, the voice of conscience when necessary speaks to his heart: do this, shun that. For man has in his heart a law written by God; to obey it is the very dignity of man; according to it he will be judged. Conscience is the most secret core and sanctuary of a man. There he is alone with God, Whose voice echoes in his depths. In a wonderful manner conscience reveals that law which is fulfilled by love of God and neighbor. In fidelity to conscience, Christians are joined with the rest of men in the search for truth, and for the genuine solution to the numerous problems which arise in the life of individuals from social relationships. Hence the more right conscience holds sway, the more persons and groups turn aside from blind choice and strive to be guided by the objective norms of morality."  And Dignitatis Humanae further explains that, "In all his activity a man is bound to follow his conscience in order that he may come to God, the end and purpose of life.  It follows that he is not to be forced to act in a manner contrary to his conscience." (DH, 3).

But this is precisely what the United States Army would like to do.  It would like to force military chaplains to betray their conscience.  This is gravely disturbing since legal recognition by the state for the right of the person to object in conscience is necessary.  It is necessary because civil law at times permits and even requires morally evil actions.  A society is said to be just when its laws defend the freedom of right conscience within due limits.  Think of those who, on religious grounds, have refused to serve in a combat role when this country was at war.  Conscientious objectors have always been permitted to serve their country in non-combat roles.

Christians everywhere should pray about this.  Military chaplains should be able to say along with St. Paul, "Brethren, I have lived before God in all good conscience up to this day" (Acts 23:1).

Related reading here and here.

Get involved.  Tell the Obama administration that you believe military chaplains shouldn't be forced against their conscience to reconcile with homosexual sin.  Go here.