Without fanfare, newly elected Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell has rescinded state trooper policy that requires police chaplains to offer only non-sectarian prayer in their official capacities during state events. The change will allow specifically Christian prayers – or from whichever faith a chaplain prefers – to become an official part of state-sponsored ceremonies that are mandatory for troopers regardless of their religious beliefs.
The Washington Post's Rosalind Helderman notes that Virginia's Attorney General believes the new policy to be constitutional:
Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli says Gov. Bob McDonnell's decision to allow volunteer state police chaplains to offer sectarian prayers at public events is "constitutionally defensible," and he will "defend it accordingly" against threatened litigation.
Somewhere, Gordon Klingenschmitt is smiling.
