A spokesman for the governor said that he does not plan to make any change, The Norfolk Virginian-Pilot reported. Kaine is a Roman Catholic who talks about his religious faith but has said that government must be neutral.

Six of the 17 State Police chaplains have resigned, saying that they could not serve under the new policy. Gordon Klingenschmitt, a former Navy chaplain who was court-martialed for wearing his uniform at a news conference on military policy, is organizing a rally at the Statehouse Nov. 1.

"There is no policy," Klingenschmitt said. "They just gave a verbal order to these chaplains and they were forced with two choices: You disobey the orders of the police chief or you deny the name of Jesus Christ. Well, no wonder they resigned."