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Pentagon Faces Backlash Over Exclusion of Catholics from Good Friday Service
Pentagon leadership is under fire following controversy over a Good Friday service held at the Pentagon Chapel that explicitly excluded Catholic employees. The event, which invited more than 3,500 employees, was announced via an email from Air Force leadership stating, “There will be a Protestant Service (No Catholic Mass) for Good Friday today at the Pentagon Chapel.”
One Pentagon employee, speaking anonymously, described the exclusion as “ridiculous” and suggested the message implied Catholics were unwelcome at the event.
A Pentagon spokesperson confirmed that no separate Catholic service was scheduled, emphasizing that the Protestant service was the only one planned for that day in the chapel. The Pentagon Memorial Chapel itself is an interfaith space open 24/7 for prayer, reflection, and religious observances of all faiths.
The controversy comes amid ongoing scrutiny of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, an evangelical Christian who has faced criticism for reportedly promoting his personal religious views within Pentagon activities. Last May, Hegseth invited his pastor and spiritual advisor to lead a prayer service at the Pentagon, during which he praised former President Donald Trump as a divinely chosen leader and expressed a desire to make the event a monthly tradition.
In related news, Hegseth recently signed a memo permitting military service members to carry their personal firearms on military bases, naval yards, and recruitment centers. He argued this policy would enhance the ability of service members to protect themselves during attacks, highlighting past shooting incidents at military installations as justification.
“The war department’s uniformed service members are trained at the highest and unwavering standards,” Hegseth stated, asserting their right to bear arms aligns with their responsibilities and state gun laws. He noted that swift action during such emergencies can be critical, praising servicemembers’ readiness and courage to respond effectively.
As the Pentagon navigates these issues, questions remain about how religious inclusivity and security policies will be balanced moving forward.