Contact: Dane Rose, Faith and Action, 202-546-8329, ext 106, 703-447-1072, DaneRose@FaithAndAction.org

WASHINGTON, Mar. 15 /Christian Newswire/ -- Representatives of the National Clergy Council, the Rabbinical Alliance of America, the Union of Orthodox Rabbis and the Christian Defense Coalition held a news conference in front of the White House on March 15 to urge President Bush to retain and support Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman Gen. Peter Pace.

Gen. Pace expressed his personal view that homosexual acts and adultery were "immoral" during a newspaper interview on March 12 when asked about the U. S. military's policy of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" that allows gays to serve in the armed forces under the condition that their orientation remain private. Many homosexual activist groups have called on Pace to apologize and a few are seeking his resignation or removal.

Rev. Rob Schenck, president of the National Clergy Council and chairman, Committee on Church and Society for the Evangelical Church Alliance announced that 150,000 letters of support for Pace from citizens across the country would be delivered to the White House along with 6,000 letters from church leaders and activists.

Rev. Schenck denounced criticism of Pace by Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Virginia Senator John Warner.  He said, "General Pace is correct in all he said about homosexual acts and should be applauded not pilloried. We have urged President Bush to fully support him and look forward to his doing so." Schenck cited the Uniform Code of Military Justice that states "persons who demonstrate a propensity or intent to engage in homosexual acts would create an unacceptable risk to the high standards of morale, good order and discipline, and unit cohesion that are the essence of military capability."

Rabbi Yehuda Levin of the Rabbinical Alliance of America and the Union of Orthodox Jewish Rabbis stated, "This is a moral issue and President Bush needs to step up and say so. This isn't a religious matter; it is moral and requires moral straight talk."  Levin warned religious and political leaders of "the judgment that will be visited upon you because of your silence."

Rev. Patrick J. Mahoney Christian Defense Coalition stated, "This isn't about discrimination, it's about right and wrong. Americans believe in moral order in the military. General Pace needs support, not criticism."

Mahoney pointed out that the current ban on homosexuals serving openly in the military was established 14 years ago by a Democratic Congress and signed into law by a Democratic president.