Pentagon Criticized for Hosting Protestant-Only Good Friday Service, But There's a Liturgical Reason

Controversy over the Pentagon's decision to host a Protestant-only Good Friday service due to differences in Catholic and Protestant liturgical practices.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 9:04pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A warm, cinematic painting of an American flag waving outside a government building, with deep shadows and a sense of quiet solemnity, conveying the political tensions surrounding the Pentagon's Good Friday service decision.The Pentagon's decision to host a Protestant-only Good Friday service reflects ongoing tensions between the military leadership and critics, even when the reasons are rooted in religious tradition.Arlington Today

The Pentagon has come under fire for hosting a Good Friday religious service that was open only to Protestant employees, and not Catholic ones. However, the criticism fails to account for the fact that Catholic and Protestant liturgical practices on Good Friday are fundamentally different, making a joint service impractical.

Why it matters

The controversy highlights ongoing tensions between the Pentagon leadership under Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and critics who are quick to accuse him of religious discrimination, even when the facts do not support such claims. It also speaks to the challenges of accommodating diverse religious practices within a large government institution.

The details

The Pentagon invited over 3,500 employees to attend a Good Friday service at its in-house chapel, but specified that it would be a Protestant service only, not a Catholic mass. This prompted criticism from some employees who felt it was exclusionary towards Catholic workers. However, the differences in Catholic and Protestant liturgical practices on Good Friday make a joint service impractical. Catholics do not celebrate Mass on Good Friday, instead observing a service focused on the Passion of Christ, while Protestants typically hold a more standard worship service. Hosting separate services is a common practice to accommodate these differences.

  • The Pentagon invited employees to the Good Friday service on April 3, 2026.

The players

Pete Hegseth

The current Secretary of Defense, known for his conservative Christian views and efforts to counter the perceived politicization of the military.

Pentagon

The headquarters of the United States Department of Defense, located in Arlington, Virginia.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I guess so the Catholics know their kind ain't welcome,”

— Anonymous Defense Department employee, Employee

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing tensions between the Pentagon leadership and its critics, as well as the challenges of accommodating diverse religious practices within a large government institution. While the decision to host a Protestant-only service may have appeared exclusionary, it was ultimately a practical move based on the differences in Catholic and Protestant liturgical traditions on Good Friday.