The U.S. Navy is discharging the chaplain who staged public fasts and prayers for the right to pray in Jesus' name in uniform wherever and whenever he wished.
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(Photo: The Christian Post / Francis Helguero, File)In this file photo, Navy Chaplain James G. Klingenschmitt participates in a worship service in front of the White House on Saturday, January 7, 2006.
Lieutenant Gordon Klingenschmitt - who has been serving at Norfolk Naval Station - has lost his church's chaplain certification. That came after his reprimand for disobeying an order by appearing in uniform at a news conference outside the White House.
He obtained certification from another denomination, but a Navy spokesman says it wasn't accepted because of Klingenschmitt's record and performance as a naval officer.
The discharge is effective at the end of this month.
Klingenschmitt calls the dismissal a retaliation for his insistence that chaplains be allowed to pray in Jesus' name. He says he doesn't regret his actions and will continue to appeal the discharge.
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