Governor Tim Kaine's (left) administration forced the resignation of several Virginia State Police chaplains who would refused to let the state water down their prayers. Governor Bob McDonnell (right) has reaffirmed the right of troopers to pray in Jesus' name.

Virginia Governor Allow Troopers to Pray in Jesus' Name

by Anita Kumar, The Washington Post

RICHMOND, VA - Governor Bob McDonnell (R) has quietly reversed a policy banning Virginia State Police troopers from referring to Jesus Christ in public prayers.

"The Governor does not believe the state should tell chaplains of any faith how to pray,'' McDonnell spokesman Tucker Marin said. "Religious officials of all faiths should be allowed to pray according to the dictates of their own conscience, and in accordance with their faith traditions, while being respectful of the faith traditions of others."

"Prior to a change two years ago, the State Police permitted those participating in the volunteer State Police chaplain program, established in 1979, to pray in accordance with their own faith. The Governor believes that longstanding bipartisan policy is the appropriate one. This policy puts the State Police chaplains in the same position as those in the United States Military, Virginia National Guard and other law enforcement agencies."

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