Smith blasts Biden Administration for barring Catholic priests from providing care to US servicemembers and veterans at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center

  In a letter to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) blasted the Biden Administration’s recent decision to bar a community of Catholic priests and brothers from providing care to US servicemembers and veterans at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, saying the outrageous move calls into question “the Department of Defense’s commitment to respecting the rights of conscience for those who volunteer to serve our nation.”

            “On April 4, 2023, a cease-and-desist letter was issued to Holy Name College Friary, a community of Franciscan priests and brothers, who have a strong record of providing pastoral care to military patients and veterans at Walter Reed for nearly two decades, barring them from providing any form of religious services,” said Smith, who noted the Biden Administration cease-and-desist order was issued during Holy Week—the most sacred time of the year for those who practice the Christian faith.

            “The Catholic pastoral care contract awarded to the Franciscans of Holy Name College expired on March 31, 2023, and a new contract was awarded to Mack Global LLC, a defense contractor, self-described as ‘your one-stop procurement for janitorial supplies, industrial machinery, aggregates and raw materials,’” Smith continued.

            “This highlights questionable judgment by officers awarding a Catholic pastoral care contract to a for-profit company best suited to provide industrial services instead of a Catholic religious institution with a strong record of providing pastoral services,” said Smith.

            In his letter, Smith also highlighted remarks by Archbishop Timothy Broglio—the Archbishop for US Military Services—who stated, “It is incomprehensible that essential pastoral care is taken away from the sick and the aged when it is so readily available…I fear that giving a contract to the lowest bidder overlooked the fact that the bidder cannot provide the necessary service.”

            “It is imperative the Department of Defense moves immediately to rectify this situation and conduct a review of contracting practices related to the provision of religious services at military institutions throughout the Defense Department,” said Smith.

            Smith, an ardent defender of religious freedom around the world and author of the Frank R. Wolf International Religious Freedom Act, also noted his grave concerns regarding First Amendment protections in light of other Biden Administration policies towards men and women of faith.

            “Disturbingly, the lack of consideration to servicemembers religious needs and rights of conscience is not a one-time event,” said Smith, who also cited the large number of denials issued by the Biden Administration for religious exemptions for the COVID-19 vaccine.

            “Coupled with the recent revelation of the FBI targeting Catholics for increased surveillance in Richmond, Virginia, and the failure of DOJ to prosecute anti-Catholic vandalism at churches, there are serious concerns regarding the Executive Branch’s position regarding First Amendment protections and invite questions regarding the Federal Government’s respect for, and protection of, the innate religious rights of Catholics in the United States,” Smith said.