Military Chaplaincy

Canada’s Catholic military bishop is questioning how meaningful the consultation was behind a new Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) policy restricting faith-specific prayer at official ceremonies.

Many have been shocked and dismayed by the new Canadian Forces General Instruction from the Commander of Military Personnel decreeing a “spiritual neutrality” upon all Canadian Armed Forces Chaplains.

A new Canadian Armed Forces policy that bars military chaplains from offering faith-specific prayers at official events with mandatory personnel attendance is drawing a response from military faith advisers as well as calls in Ottawa for its reversal.

“God etc.” In that two-word nutshell, the current federal government has expressed the fullness of its utter contempt for religious faith and religious believers. 

Winston Churchill, the British Prime Minister, flourishing his “V for Victory” hand gesture to a crowd of 50,000 from the balcony of the Ministry of Health building in London, England.

During the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF)’s 100 years of existence, military chaplains have stalwartly provided Canada’s flying personnel with a ministry of presence.

Fr. Lester Mendonsa said he was transformed by his 11 years of experience as a military chaplain for the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) from 2008 to 2019.

Richard Bernier was only sworn in as a military chaplain six months ago while Fr. Brad Sweet retired as “padre” on Oct. 19, but the two men share a common approach to their service in the armed forces.