No Probe of USAFA Needed

On February 3, Catholic League president Bill Donohue issued a news release regarding an incident at the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) that was troubling. At issue was a remark by USAFA Superintendent Lt. Gen. Michael Gould: he was upset with a wooden cross placed at the site of a pagan worship area.

Donohue objected to Gould’s characterization and was impelled to ask for a Congressional probe given past problems with the Air Force Academy and the rights of Catholics on campus. He explains today why he is contacting Senator James Webb, Congresswoman Susan Davis and other members of the House and Senate Armed Services Committee:

Following our news release, I spoke to Father Robert Bruno, the Catholic Chaplain at the Air Force Academy. Without going into details, he convinced me that positive steps have been taken to ensure the religious liberty rights of all cadets, and that Lt. Gen. Michael Gould has played a central role in that effort. Accordingly, there is no need for any probe, and that is why I am contacting those who were initially asked to look into this matter to discontinue their investigation.

Father Bruno, I am pleased to note, is the first Catholic chaplain to work at the USAFA since 1991, a sign that Gould is taking these matters seriously. However, because there are outside influences that are inimical to religious liberty on campus, we will continue to monitor this situation.

Susan A. Fani is the Director of Communications for the Catholic League. This press release was originally issued on February 9, 2010.