Lt. Cmdr. Wes Modder's superior officer rejected his claim that he was removed from his position because of his commitment to biblical principles in a memorandum issued Monday.
The former Navy chaplain was accused of failing to "show tolerance and respect" in private counselling sessions by Commanding Officer Jon R. Fahs, who stood firm in his decision.
"In your case, I find that your ability to express your religious beliefs during pastoral counseling has not been restricted or substantially burdened," Fahs wrote.
He added that Modder failed to "uphold the core capabilities of chaplains," and that he had "the duty to be sensitive to the religious, spiritual, moral, cultural and personal difference of those you serve."
The former chaplain was accused of telling a woman having premarital sex that she was "shaming herself in the eyes of God," telling a gay person that "the penis was meant for the vagina and not for the anus," and criticising an unmarried pregnant woman.
Modder was reassigned from his position at the Naval Nuclear Power Training Command in Goose Creek, South Carolina pending the results of an investigation. Through his attorney, Michael Berry of the Liberty Institute, Modder denied the allegations levied against him by a gay assistant.
"The Navy is telling Chaplain Modder – you have to choose between disciplinary action or following your religious beliefs," Berry told Fox News. "Because Chaplain Modder chose his religious beliefs, his commanding officer threatened him with career-ending punishment."
Berry plans to appeal Fahs' decision.
Rallying behind Modder are Billy Graham Evangelistic Association president and CEO Franklin Graham, former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee, Sen. Ted Cruz, former senator Rick Santorum, and over 70,000 others who have signed a petition to have Modder reinstated.
