VA secretary says religious restrictions blocking Bible displays by Obama admin were 'offensive'

Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert Wilkie said restrictive rules on religious displays at VA agencies have been changed because they deprived veterans of indispensable spiritual support.

The VA changed the religious rules after the Obama administration prohibited Bibles and other religious materials from being displayed in veteran centers and chapels because it might show signs of religious establishment by the government 

"To deprive our veterans of the sustenance of their faith, their faith leaders, their priests, their rabbis, was offensive to me," Wilkie said. "We allow now our faith leaders to preach what they believe in order to provide that spiritual sustenance that our veterans demand. It's just as important as the competence of our doctors."

The change went into effect last year to protect the religious freedom of veterans and their families.