Wes Modder
Wesley J. Modder | |
|---|---|
 Chaplain Wes Modder | |
| Personal | |
| Born | 1966 (age 57–58) |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Nationality | American |
| Denomination | Assemblies of God |
| Senior posting | |
| Ordination | Doctor of Ministry, Fuller Theological Seminary, 2013 |
| Previous post | Force Chaplain for the Navy SEALs, Wing Chaplain for Helicopter Sea Combat Wing Pacific Fleet, Command Chaplain for the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit 1 MEF in Camp Pendleton, CA, Command Chaplain Naval Nuclear Power Training Command |
| Present post | Base Chapel Naval Weapons Station at Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina |
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 1999. 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 remains in this capacity, and currently resides with his family in Charleston, South Carolina.[3]
Legal Case
On December 6, 2014, Modder's temporary lieutenant junior grade officer and assistant[4] 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 then immediately 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 in his previous unit 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]
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.
- ^ a b 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.
