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Chaplaincy of Full Gospel Churches v. Johnson
Citations: 276 F. Supp. 2d 82; 2003 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 13984; 2003 WL 21940397Docket: Civil Action Nos. 99-2945 (RMU), 00-0566(RMU)
Court: District Court, District of Columbia; August 14, 2003; Federal District Court
The United States District Court for the District of Columbia denied the plaintiffs' petition for a writ of mandamus in a class action brought by current and former Navy chaplains against the Acting Secretary of the Navy and other officials. The plaintiffs alleged that the Navy's policies favored certain religious denominations, violating the First and Fifth Amendments. The petition stemmed from the recall of Commander John Lyle, a Catholic chaplain, whom the plaintiffs argued was improperly assigned to active duty, thus engaging in a conspiracy to circumvent regulations. The plaintiffs sought court orders to ensure compliance with Navy regulations regarding chaplain recalls, adherence to financial reporting standards, investigation of alleged misconduct, and recovery of improperly used funds. The defendants responded with a motion to strike or dismiss the petition, arguing it was unauthorized, that the court lacked subject-matter jurisdiction because the actions demanded were discretionary, and that the plaintiffs lacked standing due to generalized injuries. The court highlighted that a writ of mandamus is an extraordinary remedy requiring the plaintiff to demonstrate a clear right to relief, a clear duty for the defendant to act, and the absence of other adequate remedies. The plaintiffs failed to meet these jurisdictional prerequisites, leading to the conclusion that the court lacked jurisdiction and consequently denied the petition. Plaintiffs assert that their complaints regarding CDR Lyle are included within the broader allegations of discrimination against non-liturgical Christian chaplains as outlined in the Adair and Chaplaincy cases. The court acknowledges that these ongoing complaints provide an adequate alternative remedy, which limits its jurisdiction over the plaintiffs' petition for a writ of mandamus. Plaintiffs argue that the imminent fiscal year 04 promotion cycle prevents them from receiving appropriate relief if the Lyle recall is allowed to proceed, yet they characterize the Lyle incident as one example among many in their claims against the Navy. The court finds it unclear why this particular allegation deserves a mandamus remedy, given the broader context of systemic discrimination alleged. Consequently, the court agrees with the defendants that any remedy concerning the Lyle allegations should await the resolution of the overall claims. The court orders the denial of the plaintiffs' petition for a writ of mandamus and also denies the defendants' motion to strike or dismiss the petition. The case was previously consolidated for pretrial purposes and has undergone amendments, with the relief sought remaining unchanged.