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General Synod Update from the UCC Web Site.

UCC chaplains speak out on scandals in the military

Contact:  William C. Winslow
July 7, 1997

      COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Military chaplains have one of the
toughest jobs in America, especially now with all the sexual
misconduct charges shrilling around the Armed Forces. They are
expected to provide spiritual guidance in a closed society
whose mission is to kill, yet as commissioned officers they
are a part of the chain of command of that closed society.
     From the Navy's debacle in the Tailhook scandal several
years ago to the recent revelation that the Air Force is
considering court marshaling a young officer for marrying an
enlisted person, chaplains have been angered, frustrated and a
bit on the defensive.
     An interview with three United Church of Christ
chaplains--two Navy, one Army--attending their denomination's
21st General Synod in Columbus, Ohio, reveals frustration with
what they consider an unusually harsh scrutiny by the media.
While quick to condemn sexual misconduct in any form, Navy
chaplain Eileen O'Hickey maintains the issue must be kept in
the proper perspective. "The military reflects society," she
insists. "We are dealing with sexual harassment in all of our
systems."
     "It's unfair," echoes Lilton J. Marks Sr., a divisional
Army chaplain attached to Ft. Campbell, Ky. "Do we give the
same media coverage to something that happens at IBM?"
     Nevertheless, the chaplains acknowledge that the military
environment presents severe problems. In a distinctly male
society that only recently has tried to integrate women into
its ranks, "there are some growing pains" admits Chaplain John
Gundlach, with Naval District headquarters in Washington. "The
rules are there. They must be enforced."
     While these three ministers are attuned to the military
structure, they do not think an individual's chances for
promotion, if qualified, should be endangered by a long ago
act of indiscretion. A case in point is Air Force General
Joseph Ralston, who probably lost his bid to be Chairman of
the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Armed Forces because of an
affair he had with a civilian a dozen years ago.
      "I would accept somebody who had made a mistake if there
was repentance and he had the capacity to lead with
integrity," explains Gundlach. "Redemption and repentance is
what the Christian faith is all about."
     Many of those accused of sexual harassment have been
charged with fraternization, which in the military means the
ranks don't socialize. The chaplains unanimously defend this
rule as necessary to avoid favoritism.
     "If a commander in the field doesn't have the respect,
loyalty and trust of his soldiers, he puts his people in
danger," says Marks.
      Favoritism "leads to demoralization in a unit," adds
O'Hickey.
     What then is the role of the military clergy as scandal
continues to rock bases?
      "This could be a turning point for the chaplaincy," says
Gundlach, who has expressed frustration that when chaplains
have spoken out, "there have been many cases in the past where
we have been ignored, just the way our civilians counterparts
are." But he is optimistic that with all the adverse
publicity, "we will be listened to. We can be an advocate for
the powerless, both victim and aggressor. We have the ear of
our superiors to provide moral leadership."

Quotes of the Day:

"The action of the United Church of Christ ... approving the
'Formula of Agreement' ... is encouraging. The United Church
of Christ has invited us to join in full communion, a nd I am
grateful. The work we do in the name of Jesus can be
strengthened and exciting new possibilities will be presented
by a closer relationship. I look forward to our ELCA assembly
in August, where the decision will be made. The ELCA seems
ready to respond. We trust the mind of the church to express
itself responsibly and pray for the unity we share in Christ
Jesus among our churches."
-- The Rev. George Anderson, presiding bishop of the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America

Other Synod Activities:

      The resolution on burned churches passed without a nay
vote. It calls on the church to speak out and work in behalf
of those victimized by the horrendous acts, and thanks those
who are helping to rebuild the churches.

      MOVING MOMENTS. General Synod got its first dose of
genuine emotion in a business session Monday morning, around
the thanking of those who contributed time and material and
money to rebuild burned churches.
      When Southeast Conference volunteer leader Anne Ariail
came to the podium with her green ball cap cocked slightly to
the side and started telling rebuilding stories in her Georgia
drawl, the emotion level began rising. It reached a climax
when the Rev. Bennie Campbell, pastor of First Thankful
Missionary Baptist Church of Estill, S.C., came forward to
thank those who helped rebuild his church.
      The Rev. Linda Petrucelli of the United Church Board for
World Ministries added some impressive UCC numbers:  $451,338
received from special offerings taken at some 1,000 churches,
plus donations of countless numbers of hymnals, Bibles, choir
robes, etc.  It was, she said, a classic example of people
"linking compassion with a passion for justice."

      NEW NAME VIGIL. During the Speakout period Monday, the
Rev. Felix Carrion, from the Commission for Racial Justice and
the Office for Church in Society, urged support for those
opposing the use of Native American symbolism in the names of
sports teams. "It is important to hear their words and hear
their pain," he said.  Outside the major league All-Star
baseball game Tuesday in Cleveland, protestors will call for a
new name for the Cleveland Indians.

      LEADERS RE-ELECTED.  All candidates for office running
uncontested were elected unanimously Monday in a Synod vote
that surprised exactly no one. This means that the Rev. Paul
H. Sherry will continue as President of the United Church of
Christ, and that the Rev. Doris Powell will continue as
Director of Finance and Treasurer.

      OVATION TIME. Spontaneous ovations are not commonplace
in General Synod business, but at mid-morning Monday, when the
deliberations on restructure began, one comment drew a rousing
round of applause.  The Rev. Talitha Arnold, pastor of the
United Church of Santa Fe, N.M., prompted it by saying that
the proposed Constitutional amendments are testimony "to the
level of compromise and trust" exhibited during their 10-year
development period.

Allison Bruton, Beng Seng Chan, Derrick Fiddler, Evan Golder, Tim
Kershner, Barb Powell, Irwin Smallwood, Tammy Wiles and William
Winslow participated in news gathering, writing and editing 
for this update.

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