Steube Urges VA to Approve Crucifix for Catholic Veterans
WASHINGTON — Representative Greg Steube (R-Fla.) led a letter to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) urging the agency to approve the use of a crucifix as an eligible emblem of belief for inscription on headstones at national cemeteries.
Currently, veterans and their families may select from nearly 100 approved emblems of belief representing a wide range of faiths and belief systems. However, Catholic veterans do not have the option to choose a crucifix; an emblem that reflects the faith of nearly twenty percent of all veterans.
“Our veterans made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country, and they deserve to be honored in a way that reflects their deeply held beliefs,” said Rep. Steube. “Catholic veterans should not be denied the ability to have a crucifix on their headstones while other belief systems are represented. The VA must correct this and ensure every veteran is laid to rest with reverence befitting their service and sacrifice to their nation and their Creator.”
In the letter, Rep. Steube and his colleagues emphasize that while emblems exist for numerous religious and non-religious belief systems, including those for atheists, humanists, and other faith traditions, the absence of a crucifix creates a clear gap in representation for Catholic veterans.
The letter calls on the VA to uphold the religious freedom guaranteed by the First Amendment and requests details on the agency’s approval process, any prior requests to include a crucifix, and a timeline for action.
Supporting organizations include the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops/Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA; and CatholicVote.
“I support the bipartisan effort led by Congressman Greg Steube (R-Fla.) to support the Free Exercise of religion of veterans in having the crucifix included on tombstones.”—Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA
Background: Veterans and their families may currently select from nearly 100 emblems of belief for inscription on headstones at VA national cemeteries, representing a wide range of faiths and belief systems. However, there is no approved emblem featuring a crucifix — which is a cross featuring a representation of a crucified Jesus Christ — a central symbol of the Catholic faith.
Catholic veterans make up a significant portion of those who have served our country, yet they are not afforded the same ability to have their faith fully represented in burial honors. The absence of a crucifix stands in contrast to the availability of emblems for numerous other belief systems.
Rep. Steube’s letter urges the VA to address this gap and ensure that all veterans are honored in accordance with their sincerely held religious beliefs.
Read the letter here.