The EFC is deeply concerned over a new national
policy that forbids military chaplains from not only praying, but from using words, actions or symbols tied to a specific religious or faith tradition or making any reference to God or the divine in public spiritual reflections.
“This policy goes beyond banning prayer and prohibits even the acknowledgment to those gathered that some may believe in the divine and others not,” said Bruce Clemenger, Senior Ambassador and President Emeritus of the EFC, and member of the Interfaith Committee for Canadian Military Chaplaincy. “This exclusion restricts the spiritual reflection of chaplains to a secularist and characteristically humanist expression.”
The policy applies to military chaplains speaking at public or semipublic events, government sponsored events, or where members of the Canadian Armed Forces are expected or required to attend. It applies to Remembrance Day Ceremonies (even though they are typically hosted by the Legion, a non-governmental organization).
“Previously, chaplains would offer a preamble that would recognize the diversity of views towards religion and belief among those in the audience before offering a non-denominational prayer or a spiritual reflection,” says Clemenger. “In 2023, the policy changed to prohibit any prayer.
Now, even a mention of God or any religious language is not allowed.”
The intent of the Canadian Armed Forces is to ensure any spiritual reflections offered in these contexts are as inclusive as possible. Some who do not believe in God felt excluded when prayers were offered or the word God was mentioned. Now, those who do believe in God will not have their beliefs even acknowledged.
“The policy presumes that the absence of any reference to the divine or use of religious language does not take sides among various worldviews or show favoritism to any one faith tradition. But the exclusion rests on the myth of neutrality; it privileges one belief system over others.”
Chaplains can still hold religious services in spaces set aside for religious services where attendance is voluntary. Prayers can still be offered at military funerals. They can still provide pastoral care to Canadian Armed Forces personnel and their families. But reference to God or the divine in public events like Remembrance Day ceremonies and military events is banned.
The new policy is in part based on a Supreme Court decision about the meaning of state neutrality. In a previous case the court acknowledged that neutrality was impossible. In a subsequent 2015 case the court was concerned with any exclusionary effect of a city council reciting a set prayer at every meeting.
However, rather than taking a nonpreferential and pluralistic approach, the spiritual reflection required by the new policy favours and mandates one view of spirituality and religion to the exclusion of others.
Clemenger says, “Prior to this policy, preambles were used to acknowledge the diversity of religious and spiritual views, and a rotation between prayers and spiritual reflections ensured one view was not privileged over others, something the Supreme Court has ruled against.”
Rather than supporting the spiritual health of all Canadian Armed Forces members, this policy diminishes the full participation of chaplains and prohibits the recognition of the plurality of beliefs of CAF members.
The EFC asks for a chaplaincy policy that recognizes and makes room for all in the expression of belief in spiritual reflections, a principled accommodation of the diverse beliefs of Canadians, including those who believe in God.
The EFC asks that the policy be rescinded and replaced with a more inclusive approach.