ICC Note: As previously reported, United States Navy Chaplain Wes Modder was threatened with discharge following complaints after he provided Christian counsel about sexual morality. Navy Captain Jon Fahs then issued a “detachment for cause” letter and recommended Modder’s removal. The Liberty Institute provided legal aid to Modder throughout the case and he has since been exonerated of his alleged wrongdoing.
By Heather Clark
09/09/2015 United States (Christian News Network) – A decorated former Navy SEAL who has served as a chaplain for 15 of the 19 years of his military career has been exonerated of wrongdoing after being threatened with discharge when superiors called his Christian counseling against premarital sex and homosexuality a “recipe for disaster.”
As previously reported, last December, several sailors allegedly filed complaints against Chaplain Wes Modder, a 19 year decorated military veteran with 15 years in the chaplaincy, stating that he was guilty of discrimination for the way that he had provided counsel regarding issues of sexual morality.
In a “detachment for cause” letter dated Feb. 17, Navy Capt. Jon Fahs, NNPTC commander, branded Modder as being “intolerant and “unable to function in the diverse and pluralistic environment.”
Among the incidents that Fahs cited as being inappropriate, included an alleged statement to a female sailor that she was “shaming herself in the eyes of God” for having sex outside of marriage, “berating” another female for becoming pregnant out of wedlock, and advising several other sailors that homosexuality was wrong and goes against human physiology. He also noted that Modder said that if policies conflicted with his faith, he must still stand for his faith.
Fahs contended that to allow other students to be exposed to Modder would be a “recipe for tragedy.” Calling Modder’s counsel “misconduct,” he recommended the chaplain’s removal.
As Modder was provided an opportunity to respond, he submitted a request for religious accommodation, which was denied.
But earlier this month Rear Adm. David Steindl, the head of Navy Personnel Command and deputy chief of Naval Personnel, wrote to Fahs following a review, stating that Modder’s conduct does not warrant detachment.
