ISTANBUL

The Pentagon was set to host a Christian Good Friday service, but for Protestants only, excluding Catholics, Huffpost reported on Friday.

The Pentagon reportedly extended an invitation to over 3,500 staff members to take part in a Good Friday service held in its on-site chapel, but only for Protestants.

Good Friday, in the immediate runup to Easter Sunday, is one of the most important dates on the Christian calendar.

“Just a friendly reminder: There will be a Protestant Service (No Catholic Mass) for Good Friday today at the Pentagon Chapel,” read a Friday email sent by Air Force leadership, a copy of which was shared by an employee.

One employee, who asked to remain anonymous in order to discuss internal messages, criticized the situation, saying: “I guess so the Catholics know their kind ain’t welcome.”

“It’s so ridiculous,” the employee added.

A spokesperson for the Pentagon reportedly verified that no additional or separate service had been arranged for Catholic personnel.

“The Protestant service is the only service scheduled in the Pentagon chapel today,” they said in a statement.

The Pentagon Memorial Chapel serves as a 24/7 interfaith area where employees can pray, reflect, and attend various religious services.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who is known for his far-right evangelical Christian beliefs, has made efforts to incorporate his religious perspective into Pentagon-related activities, attracting controversy.

Without mentioning him by name, Pope Leo recently criticized Hegseth’s prayers for violence against enemies, saying that God would not hear them.

Many Catholics serve in positions in all branches of the US government, including six of the nine justices of the Supreme Court, as well as Vice President JD Vance, who converted to Catholicism in 2019.

The US Constitution bars any state establishment of religion.