Sandhurst military academy has dropped the Church of England Creed from services over fears that it may offend religious minorities.
The move has outraged worshippers who say centuries of religious tradition have been sacrificed for the sake of political correctness.
Senior chaplain Reverend Jonathan Gough dropped the Christian declaration of faith in God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, when he took office earlier this month.
Mr Gough – nicknamed the ‘Right On Rev’ by some of his flock – says he wants avoid offending non-believers.
But Christian cadets and civilians were furious when the traditional Anglican service abruptly ended without the Creed being read last Sunday.
Although no official announcement was made, a fellow Chaplain said it had been removed ‘to stop upsetting cadets who do not believe in God’.
Last night the Ministry of Defence confirmed the Creed, which also refutes heresy, had been withdrawn from services at the Royal Memorial Chapel to make the church more inclusive.
This is despite the fact that it is not compulsory for any Sandhurst cadets to attend.
Both Princes William and Harry trained at the prestigious academy in Camberley, Surrey.
One senior member of the Chapel yesterday said the decision to cut the affirmation of faith was ludicrous. He said: ‘It’s a disgrace. Nobody was told and everybody has been left shocked and angry. It’s just an attempt to be “right on”.’
The Creed, found in the book of Common Prayer, begins: ‘I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried’.
Theologian, Dr Richard Bell, from Nottingham University, said it was ‘something that unites most Christians and for the vast majority it is the act of stating who you are’.
He added: ‘The Creed is the central plank of the Church of England service. If you give up on that you are effectively giving up on God. Frankly I’m appalled by this decision.’
Former army officer Patrick Mercer, who went on to become the Bishop of Exeter, last night led calls for the Creed to be returned.
Mr Mercer, who trained at Sandhurst, said: ‘If you go to an Anglican Church service you expect to hear an Anglican service. I think the good reverend is being a little too precious.’
Mr Gough, 46, is a former secretary for ecumenism for Archbishop of Canterbury and has served in the Army for 20 years during conflicts in Northern Ireland, Kosovo and more recently Afghanistan.
Last night he would only say: ‘I had many options to choose from.’
An Army said it was common practice to alter the service from time to time. ‘The people who are angry should sit down with Reverend Gough for a cup of tea,’ a spokesman said.