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Are 90 Chaplains Necessary?

Mayor Defends Amount of Police Chaplains- Deems They are all Needed

PERTH AMBOY – Resident Alan Silber couldn’t understand why so many Police Chaplains are necessary. He stated that 34 of the 90 Chaplains don’t live in Perth Amboy. “Some live in Pennsylvania and one lives in Staten Island. They are from many different religious organizations.”

Resident Alan Silber

Resident Alan Silber

Silber cited the ordinance which says that the Chaplains must be ordained ministers. “Some are laypeople – can they be ordained? And the Mayor can appoint one or more as Chaplains?” He wanted to know, “Is this a political thing? Chaplains are not supposed to administer to the public. That’s why we have churches.”

Councilman Fernando Irizarry gave a brief explanation to answer some of Silber’s questions, “The Chaplains have a right to be involved in political campaigns. There is a process through their churches to where they could be ordained and then given credentials. Before they can be given the title of Chaplain by the Mayor, they must go through specific classes. I don’t think they go around giving spiritual advice to people in the community. But this is a free country.”

Mayor Wilda Diaz praised the Chaplains saying, “They participate in feeding people and cook for our community. They have a lot of faith in God. They’re hard workers and dedicated. They care about the Police, Fire and Recreation Department. They save us a lot of money by doing this. You don’t have to be a Pastor, a Priest or hold a title in a church to be a Chaplain.”

She gave an explanation for having Chaplains that live in out of state. “They can console a Police Officer’s family members who may reside in a state close to where a particular Chaplain may live.”

2 Responses to “Are 90 Chaplains Necessary?”

  1. Susan Hoagland says:

    Are the Chaplains PAID, or do they volunteer? I can’t see any DECENT person attacking such an organization to begin with (but then again, there are those who simply attack everything in their path to keep their names in the papers…) I simply can’t imagine why anyone would choose to attack the Chaplains: when they are doing such exemplary work, but then again, the world is full of petty, nasty people who’s lives are so empty that they must find SOMETHING to attack, no matter how kind and benevolent the organization.

  2. Teresa Rafferty says:

    Police Chaplains are involved in Wilda Diaz political campaigns. They cost TAXPAYER money because they get badges and expense payments.

    This is an example of incompetence and waste. Crime is rising and City Hall is praying instead of taking action.

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