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A state delegate is trying again to overturn a rule forbidding state police chaplains from praying to Jesus Christ at public police events.
Del. Charles Carrico, R-Grayson, a former state trooper himself, is reintroducing a bill that would prohibit the state police from regulating the content of chaplains' prayers at events.
The issue arose last year after a federal appeals court upheld a Fredericksburg City Council ban on referring to Jesus Christ in public prayers that open council meetings.
As a result, State Police Col. Steven Flaherty had directed police chaplains --troopers who volunteer chaplain services--to avoid denominational prayers at public events, such as trooper graduations.
Six chaplains resigned in protest, igniting a controversy that had a group of ministers criticizing Gov. Tim Kaine and Flaherty for the directive, saying it violated the chaplains' right to pray according to their own conscience.
Chaplains are still allowed to pray as they choose in private counseling sessions; the directive applies only to public events.
Supporters, like Kaine, say it protects the freedom of religion for those listening to the prayer, while opponents like Carrico say it violates the freedom of religion for those saying the prayer.
Carrico first put in his bill in the 2009 legislative session; it passed the House but died in a Senate committee.
He said the version he has put in for the 2010 session is identical.
"I think everybody understands what the bill is introduced to do. It's basically put it into law that state police can have a volunteer chaplaincy program yet it limits the colonel's powers to censor how these troopers pray," Carrico said in a telephone interview. "I think more and more people are understanding what the need is, and hopefully we'll get a better, not last-minute, consideration in the [Senate] Courts committee and better favor towards it this year in the Senate."
Carrico said he has not heard of any additional resignations of police chaplains since the controversy arose last year. But, he said, chaplains worry about what they say.
"It's just still that they are being pretty much censored as to how they can do their job, and uncomfortable-feeling as to whether they're going to say or do something that will bring repercussions," he said.
Carrico's bill has not yet been assigned to a House committee. The legislative session begins Jan. 13.
Chelyen Davis: 540/368-5028
Email: cdavis@freelancestar.com
