Chaplain files suit against US policy barring civilian chaplains from military bases during shutdown

October 15, 2013

A Catholic priest has filed suit in US federal court against a government policy that prevents him from celebrating Mass on a military base during the federal shutdown.

Father Ray Leonard, who acts as a civilian chaplain at Kings Bay naval base in Georgia, was told that he could be arrested if he tried to celebrate Mass on the base last weekend. His lawsuit said that he “wishes to continue practicing his faith and ministering to his faith community free of charge,” but the Obama administration was blocking him from exercising that freedom.

 

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Further information:

• Catholic priest sues over access denial at military base because of shutdown (CNN)