A British politician has apologized after it emerged some chaplains with the British armed force told superiors about gay and bisexual military personnel in the 1990s.
The UK dropped its ban on openly LGB people serving in the armed forces in 2000. However, before this time, gay military personnel were routinely dismissed if their sexuality became known.
According to the Times, some chaplains reported LGB personnel to their superiors after hearing the information during confession.
Private confession, as practiced by several denominations of Christian faith, is when a person tells a priest of their sins or wrongdoings. It is supposed to remain confidential and repeated to no-one else.
The newspaper spoke to veterans who say they confided in their chaplain, only to be questioned days later by military police.
Related: Two trainee priests sent back to Ireland after being caught in bed together
It’s believed both Church of England and Roman Catholic chaplains were involved with the practice. It’s uncertain if the information led directly to soldiers being dismissed.
The breach of confidentiality was acknowledged on the weekend by the British government. Defence Minister, Johnny Mercer, MP, told The Times: “Our policy regarding LGB members in the military was unacceptable then, and as a defence minister, I personally apologize for those experiences.”
“Pastoral encounters between service chaplains and personnel should be strictly confidential.”
Related: Navy veteran discharged over sexuality is to get confiscated medal returned
He issued a similar apology last Thursday. At the Houses of Parliament, addressing an audience of veterans to mark 20 years since the gay ban was lifted, he said, “It was unacceptable then and it is unacceptable now, and as the minister for defence, people and veterans, I wanted to personally apologize to you today for those experiences.”
Campaigners say the UK military conducted a “witch hunt” to dismiss gay and bisexual service personnel before the ban being lifted.
Nowadays, all the main strands of the UK armed forces are represented at major Pride festivals, with service personnel marching in uniform. The Ministry of Defence also has its own LGBTQ employee network group, while rainbow flags were raised at several naval bases to mark the 20th anniversary of the ban being lifted.
Cam
Because bigotry is far more important to right wingers than any religious promises or rules.
TomG
EXACTLY !
Evji108
More evidence if such is needed after the pedophile coverup of this Church and all the other lies they have perpetrated over the years that they are rotten to the very core and display not one shred of true spirituality.
Kangol2
Are the creep Catholic and Anglican priests who shared soldiers’ private confessions going to apologize? Isn’t it part of their vow NOT to reveal what people are sharing in confession with them, which is supposed to be shared only with God? Instead, they helped to destroy people’s lives and careers. It’s like they try to come up with reasons for people to lose faith in them and in organized religion altogether!
white-queer-african
When I was molested at a very, very young age by a priest I was told it was a secret. Just between us! I wonder what he would have said if it happened in the confessional? Still a secret?
NateOcean
Yes, strange that these priests would be so vocal in reporting soldiers (who were attending to their duties), yet the priests found no time to report fellow priests who were sucking off alter boys.
Perhaps we should have a day next Sunday, where all congregants would be told to “stand down”, and only priests would go to confession to confess their sins to one another. They could then make appropriate reports to the police.
I doubt if a single Sunday of priest-to-priest confession would be long enought to get the job done.
Vince
As an athiest I’m always amazed how people can put such trust in someone of the cloth. From my point of view I see them as damaged people themselves. Lying and deception is not uncommon. Religion sure makes people unbelievably stupid.
masterwill7
Amen to that!
Samuel B
Vince, I agree that lying and deception is not uncommon, but I’d expand that view into the realm of politicians as well as members of the cloth.
A Nickname (required)
Now that the Defence Minister has apologized, when are the churches going to (or are they on the phones to their lawyers and asset managers)?
unreligious
Well it took them 359 years to acknowledge that they were wrong to condemn Galileo for saying the Earth revolves around the sun. So I guess you probably won’t be around when they admit that they were wrong about this.
justgeo
Those ‘priests’ need their tongues cut out and shoved up their asses!
yoshimura8869
According to the Catholic Church’s Code of Canon Law (983, 984), any priest that breaks the “seal of confession” incurs automatic excommunication without exception.
Samuel B
I wonder if any other Christian denominations have a similar set of rules?
jcoberkrom
These chaplains should be named and publicly reprimanded
kevininbuffalo
They should be defrocked.
nvsugarbear
Crucify them as they did others
Samuel B
Which Christian denominations have crucified people? I ask simply out of curiosity.
winemaker
Apology though nice, just doesn’t cut it. Really after ruining lives and careers an apology is like a slap on the wrist for a crime such as kidnapping or murder. Too little too late.