Michigan
Mich. VA hospital provides access for chaplain seeking to pray, read Bible with fellow vets !
ADF, hospital work together to remove barriers preventing chaplain from visiting patients
Wednesday, September 09, 2009, 9:15 AM (MST) |
ADF Media Relations | 480-444-0020
Wednesday, September 09, 2009, 9:15 AM (MST) |
ADF Media Relations | 480-444-0020
IRON MOUNTAIN, Mich. — After receiving two letters from Alliance Defense Fund attorneys, hospital officials at Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center have agreed to allow the chaplain of two veterans’ organizations access to patients. Previously, hospital officials denied Martin Colburn, a Christian chaplain, from visiting patients who asked to meet with him.
“Christians shouldn’t be discriminated against for their beliefs, especially not a chaplain whose presence has been specifically requested by patients. We commend hospital officials for correcting this problem and demonstrating their commitment to honor the constitutional rights of both Mr. Colburn and the veterans who desire his services,” said ADF Litigation Counsel Daniel Blomberg.
In a Feb. 13 letter, Colburn, a retired veteran who serves as a chaplain for the American Legion and Disabled American Veterans organizations and had been volunteering his time for over four years, was informed by the hospital’s chief of voluntary services that he would no longer have access to the hospital due to the “religious content” of his activities. Colburn provided brief prayers and Bible reading only to patients who had either given him permission or had requested his services in advance.
After receiving a letter from ADF attorneys, the hospital once again permitted Colburn to visit the hospital. However, officials later rescinded his access, citing a “Visiting Clergy” policy which only allows clergy to visit members of their local congregation and only after scheduling visits with the Chaplain Service office. The hospital also suggested that Colburn’s religious credentials would need to be evaluated to determine whether he was “qualified.”
After receiving a second letter from ADF, along with correspondence from Wis. congressman and doctor Steve Kagen, the hospital agreed to allow Colburn to resume visiting patients with whom he already had relationships or who specifically requested his visitation.
“Because many of the patients Mr. Colburn serves cannot leave their beds, the care he provides would not be possible otherwise,” said Blomberg. “At such a difficult period in the lives of our cherished veterans, such a service is invaluable. We are thankful to hospital officials who worked with us to eliminate the barriers that prevented Mr. Colburn from serving our wounded warriors.”
New York
NY school district agrees to recognize Christian club
Group no longer denied access to benefits offered to other student clubs
Monday, September 14, 2009
“Christians shouldn’t be discriminated against for their beliefs, especially not a chaplain whose presence has been specifically requested by patients. We commend hospital officials for correcting this problem and demonstrating their commitment to honor the constitutional rights of both Mr. Colburn and the veterans who desire his services,” said ADF Litigation Counsel Daniel Blomberg.
In a Feb. 13 letter, Colburn, a retired veteran who serves as a chaplain for the American Legion and Disabled American Veterans organizations and had been volunteering his time for over four years, was informed by the hospital’s chief of voluntary services that he would no longer have access to the hospital due to the “religious content” of his activities. Colburn provided brief prayers and Bible reading only to patients who had either given him permission or had requested his services in advance.
After receiving a letter from ADF attorneys, the hospital once again permitted Colburn to visit the hospital. However, officials later rescinded his access, citing a “Visiting Clergy” policy which only allows clergy to visit members of their local congregation and only after scheduling visits with the Chaplain Service office. The hospital also suggested that Colburn’s religious credentials would need to be evaluated to determine whether he was “qualified.”
After receiving a second letter from ADF, along with correspondence from Wis. congressman and doctor Steve Kagen, the hospital agreed to allow Colburn to resume visiting patients with whom he already had relationships or who specifically requested his visitation.
“Because many of the patients Mr. Colburn serves cannot leave their beds, the care he provides would not be possible otherwise,” said Blomberg. “At such a difficult period in the lives of our cherished veterans, such a service is invaluable. We are thankful to hospital officials who worked with us to eliminate the barriers that prevented Mr. Colburn from serving our wounded warriors.”
New York
NY school district agrees to recognize Christian club
Group no longer denied access to benefits offered to other student clubs
Monday, September 14, 2009
CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. — The Lindenhurst Union Free School District has granted official recognition to a student-led Christian club following a settlement with the Alliance Defense Fund. ADF attorneys filed a federal lawsuit in February after the New York school district repeatedly refused to recognize the group.
“Christian groups shouldn’t be discriminated against for their beliefs,” said ADF Senior Legal Counsel David Cortman. “Such actions are a clear violation of the First Amendment and the Equal Access Act. We are pleased that the district agreed to reverse the unconstitutional restrictions placed on the group, including where members are allowed to meet.”
The club is now receiving access to the same rights and privileges as other student groups. Lindenhurst High School officials originally refused to grant recognition to the club because of its religious nature. Unlike other clubs, members were barred from meeting in classrooms and were instead forced to apply for facility access as a local community organization.
Under the terms of the settlement outlined in the voluntary dismissal filed with the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York, school district officials have granted full benefits and privileges to club members and have adopted a resolution in which they promise to comply with the Equal Access Act in the future.
Attorney Charles E. Holster III of Mineola served as local counsel in the case, A.Q. v. Board of Education of Lindenhurst Union Free School District."
“Christian groups shouldn’t be discriminated against for their beliefs,” said ADF Senior Legal Counsel David Cortman. “Such actions are a clear violation of the First Amendment and the Equal Access Act. We are pleased that the district agreed to reverse the unconstitutional restrictions placed on the group, including where members are allowed to meet.”
The club is now receiving access to the same rights and privileges as other student groups. Lindenhurst High School officials originally refused to grant recognition to the club because of its religious nature. Unlike other clubs, members were barred from meeting in classrooms and were instead forced to apply for facility access as a local community organization.
Under the terms of the settlement outlined in the voluntary dismissal filed with the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York, school district officials have granted full benefits and privileges to club members and have adopted a resolution in which they promise to comply with the Equal Access Act in the future.
Attorney Charles E. Holster III of Mineola served as local counsel in the case, A.Q. v. Board of Education of Lindenhurst Union Free School District."
