Wes Modder
| Wesley J. Modder | |
|---|---|
| Religion | Christian |
| Denomination | Assemblies of God |
| Education | Bachelor of Science Pastoral Studies: North Central University (1996), Master of Divinity: Bethel Theological Seminary (2002); Doctor of Ministry, Fuller Theological Seminary, 2014 |
| Personal | |
| Nationality | American |
| Born |
1966 (age 49–50) Flint, Michigan |
Wesley 'Wes' J. Modder (born 1966) is a former Marine and Christian military chaplain in the United States Navy. He appeared in national headlines after the US Navy denied him religious accommodation to preach according to his denomination's doctrine on marriage and sexuality.[1] Modder was also occasionally an author in ETHOS, a US Navy newsletter.[2]
Biography
Modder was born in Flint, Michigan, growing up in Clio, Michigan. He joined the US Marine Corps in 1984, moving up in the ranks for many years, including participation as Sergeant in Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm. He was later commissioned as United States Navy Chaplain in 2000. Chaplain Modder was promoted to Lieutenant Commander in October 2009, and has since been deployed to many fleets including that of US Navy Seals. He is honorably retired and currently resides with his family in Chicago, Illinois .[3] He is Lead Pastor of the Assemblies of God Stone Church.
Legal Case
On December 6, 2014, Modder's temporary lieutenant junior grade officer and assistant[4] LTjg Michael Balistari USN assisted by Chaplain Laura Bender CDR, USN brought two Equal Opportunity representatives and a five-page complaint against him. The complaint was on the grounds of discrimination of sexual orientation and different standards of respect including that of pre-marital sex. Unbeknown to Modder, his assistant was a married homosexual. Modder was later removed from duties and told to clean out his office.[5] After his commanders concluded he was "intolerant and "unable to function in the diverse and pluralistic environment" he received a "detachment for cause" letter on February 27, 2015.[6][7] On March 9, 2015, Modder sought assistance from Liberty Institute, which wrote a letter refuting the "detachment for cause" letter on legal grounds, and requested "religious accommodation" to continue his duties as a chaplain. This request was denied March 16, 2015.[8][9] Modder's lawyers will appeal this ruling.[10] From March 10, 2015, to present Modder has been temporarily assigned and relocated to Naval Support Activity Charleston while facing possible discharge if brought before the Naval board of inquiry.[5][11] On March 24, 2015, a sailor at a neighboring command unexpectedly died, Modder was going to attend and minister at the funeral when the US Navy issued a “no contact” order and banished him from the base. Liberty Institute stated “To deny Chaplain Modder of the ability to minister to a grieving family and other sailors is deplorable.”[12] On March 30, 2015, thirty-five members of Congress expressed their support for Wes Modder by sending a letter to Navy Secretary Ray Mabus and Chief of Chaplains Rear Admiral Margaret Kibben, the same day the Restore Military Religious Freedom Coalition sent a petition containing over 100,000 individual signatures expressing their support for the Modder.[13][14]
On September 3, 2015, the Navy Personnel Command exonerated Modder, clearing him of all wrongdoing. Rear Adm. David Steindl concluded that "evidence of substandard performance in this case does not meet the standard of gross negligence or complete disregard for duty".[15] Liberty Institute, the law firm representing Wes Modder, stated “We always knew that when the facts came to light, the Navy would exonerate Chaplain Modder”.[16] He was able to retire in good standing upon reaching his 21st year of Naval service.[15]
References
- ↑ "Navy Officials Violate Federal Law By Refusing To Grant Religious Liberty To Decorated Navy Chaplain, According to Liberty Institute". PR Newswire. March 18, 2015. Retrieved March 25, 2015.
- ↑ "ETHOS - Issue #6" (PDF). p. 26. Retrieved March 25, 2015.
- 1 2 Starnes, Todd (March 9, 2015). "Former SEALs chaplain could be kicked out of Navy for Christian beliefs". Fox News. Retrieved March 25, 2015.
- ↑ Tilghman, Andrew (March 11, 2015). "Chaplain faces possible discharge for being 'intolerant'". Military Times. Retrieved March 25, 2015.
- ↑ Harper, Jon (March 11, 2015). "Commander wants Navy chaplain removed for alleged anti-gay remarks, discrimination". Stars and Stripes (newspaper). Retrieved March 25, 2015.
- ↑ Tilghman, Andrew (March 18, 2015). "Navy denies chaplain's request for religious accommodation". World (magazine). Retrieved March 25, 2015.
- ↑ Hallowell, Billy (March 18, 2015). "Navy Chaplain Who Faces 'Career-Ending Punishment' Over His Views on Homosexuality and Premarital Sex Vows to Fight On After Military Rejects Religious Accommodation Plea". The Blaze. Retrieved March 25, 2015.
- ↑ Ruse, Austin (March 18, 2015). "From Hero to Hater: Navy Beats Down Chaplain's Appeal for Religious Freedom in Homophobia Complaint". Breitbart. Retrieved March 25, 2015.
- ↑ Harper, Jon (March 18, 2015). "Commander denies Pentecostal chaplain's religious accommodation request". Stars and Stripes (newspaper). Retrieved March 25, 2015.
- ↑ "Navy bans chaplain from ministering to family of dead sailor". Fox News. March 24, 2015. Retrieved March 25, 2015.
- ↑ "Congressional Members Rally In Support Of Chaplain Modder; Congressman Seeks Answers About How The Navy Obtained Private Information, According To Liberty Institute". PR Newswire. March 31, 2015. Retrieved April 26, 2015.
- ↑ "Over 100,000 Americans Call on US Navy to Reinstate Christian Chaplain Facing Discharge for Talking About His Faith". Christian Post. March 31, 2015. Retrieved April 26, 2015.
- 1 2 "Navy spares controversial chaplain accused of misconduct". Military Times. September 4, 2015. Retrieved September 8, 2015.
- ↑ Starnes, Todd (September 4, 2015). "Navy exonerates chaplain accused of being anti-gay". Fox News. Retrieved September 8, 2015.