The History and Tradition of Federally Employed Chaplains

Rev. Samuel ProvoostPhoto Credit: https://www.loc.gov/item/89714884/

Since 1789, the United States Senate and the House of Representatives have elected clergymen (and sometimes women) to serve as Chaplains. The purpose of this role is to offer prayer as well as provide spiritual guidance to Senators and Representatives. All the Chaplains that have served in Congress, to this point, have been clergymen from Christian denominations. [1] Congress is not the only U.S. Government entity that employs clergy to work in an official capacity in advising elected officials and employees on spiritual matters. All branches of the military have Chaplains serving in their ranks. Many state governments have employed Chaplains, mirroring the federal government’s practice.

To many, this practice seems taboo or even unconstitutional. After all, doesn’t the constitution require the separation of church and state? Although its true that the first amendment prohibits the government from establishing religion, “separation of church and state” cannot be found anywhere in the document. What the first amendment says is that, “congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” [2] The term “separation of church and state,” is usually understood to have come from a letter written by Thomas Jefferson in 1802.[3]

In our modern times, it is not surprising that individuals would challenge the practice of employing Chaplains in government. A 1963 U.S. Supreme Court case (Abington School District v. Schempp) Justice Brennan stated that since the government removed individuals from free exercise of religious practices, the government could provide substitutes. [4] This twentieth century challenge was not the first directed at the office of Chaplain. Several objections to the program came about in the early to mid-nineteenth century. One of the objections had to do with congressional members being upset that their Chaplain of choice was not selected to the position. This resulted in change of procedure from 1857 through 1859. During this period, local clergy volunteered to provide services such as prayer before meetings.[5]

Barry Black, Senate Chaplain. Photo Credit: https://www.senate.gov/about/images/black-barry-chaplain.htm

In a 1853 report titled, Chaplains of the general government, with objections to their employment considered : also, a list of all the chaplains to Congress, in the army and in the navy, from the formation of the government to this time, members of congress challenged the constitutionality of the Chaplain program as well as evaluating its use.  The report itself asks the question as to whether the practice of employing Chaplains was a violation of the first amendment. This was more than 100 years prior to the Abington School District v. Schempp case. The report focuses heavily on the traditions surrounding the United States and office of Chaplain. It points out that chaplains in military and government service predate the constitution. When the constitution was drafted, giving authority to Congress to support and provide for the military, it is understood that the practice of employing clergy would continue.[6]

Although there is no requirement for chaplains to be Christian all congressional Chaplains have been Christian. A majority of military Chaplains have been Christian, but Jewish and others have served as well. The requirement established by military and congressional procedures is that the individual holds a degree in theology or related subject and is recognized by a religious denomination. [7] Christian chaplains have been and will continue to be an important part of government operations in providing support and guidance to those serving the nation.

References:

[1] United States Senate. “About the Senate Chaplain.” Retrieved on February 3, 2024 from https://www.senate.gov/about/officers-staff/chaplain.htm.

[2] U.S. Constitution. Amendment 1.

[3] Jefferson, Thomas. (1802) Letter to the Danbury Baptist. Retrieved from https://www.loc.gov/loc/lcib/9806/danpre.html

[4] U.S. Supreme Court. Abington School District v. Schempp, 374 U.S. 203 (1963) and Kraft, Emilie S. Chaplains. Updated September 19, 2023. Retrieved from https://firstamendment.mtsu.edu/article/chaplains/#:~:text=Government%2Dfunded%20military%20chaplain%20programs,Appeals%20in%20a%201985%20case.

[5] United States Senate. “About the Senate Chaplain.” Retrieved on February 3, 2024 from https://www.senate.gov/about/officers-staff/chaplain.htm.

[6] Johnson, Lorenzo Dow. Chaplains of the general government, with objections to their employment considered : also, a list of all the chaplains to Congress, in the army and in the navy, from the formation of the government to this time. New-York: Sheldon, Blakeman & co., 1856. Sabin Americana: History of the Americas, 1500-1926 (accessed February 3, 2024). https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/CY0100997912/SABN?u=vic_liberty&sid=bookmark-SABN&xid=1dfc370b&pg=8. 8-9.

[7] Ibid. 76-77