Many people are aware that this past week was Holy Week, and that it’s the most sacred of times for Christians every year. The week includes Palm Sunday, Jesus’ triumphant entrance into Jerusalem; Maundy (or Holy) Thursday, when the Washing of the Feet and Last Supper took place; and Good Friday, Jesus Christ’s crucifixion—all of which lead up to the celebration of his resurrection on Easter Sunday.

That’s why it’s mystifying that anyone would think canceling the pastoral care contract for a Catholic archdiocese was a good idea… just days before Holy Week starts. But that’s what the Archdiocese For The Military Services says Walter Reed National Medical Military Medical Center just did.

In a press release, the organization explains that administrators at Walter Reed sent a cease and desist order to Holy Name College, “a community of Franciscan Catholic priests and brothers, who have provided pastoral care to service members and veterans at Walter Reed for nearly two decades.”

The community was told their help was no longer needed, and that “[t]he Franciscans’ contract for Catholic Pastoral Care was terminated on March 31, 2023.”

The press release continues:

The government’s cease and desist order directed the Catholic priests to cease any religious services at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.

Who will be making sure our service members’ First Amendment right to worship how they choose is maintained? The archdiocese says a new contract was “awarded to a secular defense contracting firm that cannot fulfill the statement of work in the contract. As a result, adequate pastoral care is not available for service members and veterans in the United States’ largest Defense Health Agency medical center either during Holy Week or beyond.”

The archdiocese adds that “[w]hile Walter Reed’s chaplain office claims Catholic care is being provided during Holy Week, the AMS maintains that without Catholic priests present at the medical center, service members and veterans are being denied the constitutional right to practice their religion.” The organization’s general counsel made attempts this week to contact Walter Reed, they say, in hopes of the ministry “to be reinstated at least through Easter. Walter Reed National Military Medical Center has not responded to these requests from the Archdiocese.”

The  Archbishop for the Military Services, Timothy P. Broglio, J.C.D., called out Walter Reed’s canceling the pastoral contract as an “encroachment on the First Amendment guarantee of the Free Exercise of Religion.” He added:

This is a classic case where the adage ‘if it is not broken, do not fix it’ applies.  I fear that giving a contract to the lowest bidder overlooked the fact that the bidder cannot provide the necessary service.  I earnestly hope that this disdain for the sick will be remedied at once and their First Amendment rights will be respected.”

Some could argue that the timing on this was coincidental, which is possible. Even if it was, the results are the same. It seems that brave Americans who deserve our thanks and respect are being short-changed—and it’s for no good reason.

Update:

A former Trump administration DOJ official, Jeff Clark, nails it here:

The Biden Administration disgraces itself on the First Amendment yet again and displays its anti-religious bigotry, even against its own President’s professed religion. During this Administration, Walter Reed Hospital issued a cease and desist order against catholic priests providing religious services — during Holy Week no less. Complete slap in the faith to the religious men and to the patients of Walter Reed. Kamala Harris still supports Antifa protesters but peaceful priests tending spiritually to our wounded and ill patriots at Walter Reed hospital is a no-no.

The Biden Administration disgraces itself on the First Amendment yet again and displays its anti-religious bigotry, even against its own President's professed religion.

During this Administration, Walter Reed Hospital issued a cease and desist order against catholic priests…

— Jeff Clark (@JeffClarkUS) April 8, 2023

As he says in closing, which is true of most of the Biden Administration’s actions, “You can’t make this stuff up.”