FORT BRAGG, N.C. (BP)—The U.S. Army dropped its investigation Aug. 24 against Southern Baptist chaplain Maj. Jerry Scott Squires, a Southern Baptist chaplain, exonerating him of all charges.
Squires, who had been charged with discrimination against a lesbian soldier who wanted to attend a marriage retreat, handled the situation in accordance with military policy and followed the guidelines of his denominational endorsing agency, the Army determined.
Squires had been charged with unlawful discrimination and dereliction of duty, and he could have faced confinement in a military prison.
Praised as ‘victory’ for free exercise of religion
“This is great news for both Chaplain Squires and all of the military chaplains who are serving our men and women in the U.S. Armed Services,” said Gen. Douglas Carver, executive director of chaplaincy at the North American Mission Board.
“It is a significant victory for all who support and defend the freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, especially regarding the freedom of religion.”
Carver thanked Squires’ commanding general “for having the moral courage to make the correct but difficult decision regarding the investigation into Chaplain Squires.”
In early 2018, Squires told a soldier that he could not perform a marriage retreat for the soldier and her same-sex partner, and Squires provided an alternative by rescheduling the event so another chaplain could conduct the retreat.
An investigating officer initially determined Squires had discriminated against the soldier and recommended he face disciplinary action.
Lawyer asserted chaplain followed protocol
Mike Berry, the attorney from First Liberty Institute representing Squires, argued the chaplain’s actions adhered to Army protocol by taking the appropriate steps to provide the service Squires could not personally oversee or attend in keeping with the policy of his endorser.
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“Few chaplains have endured the investigative scrutiny that Chaplain Squires suffered over the last seven months,” Carver said. “We applaud Chaplain Squires and all chaplains like him who remain dedicated to their faith while seeking to respect all persons within the diverse military community.”
NAMB, the entity that endorsed Squires, augmented its ministry guidelines for chaplains in 2013 after the Supreme Court struck down Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act, which defined marriage only in terms of opposite sex unions. Southern Baptist chaplains are expected to serve respectfully within the pluralistic culture of the military with grace and charity, obeying such biblical commands as Romans 12:18 to, if at all possible, “live at peace with everyone.”
“From the moment the investigation began, Southern Baptists have stood behind Chaplain Squires with their prayerful support, wise counsel, and encouraging words,” Carver said.
“Our partners in the gospel from other denominations faithfully stood with us as well. We are here to ensure that our chaplains can exercise their religious freedom and model the tenets of our faith as Southern Baptists in an uncompromising and Christ-honoring manner.”
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