New directives for military chaplains that tell them to be “respectful of … spiritual diversity” during public addresses, to employ “Gender Based Analysis” and replace religious symbols like crosses and stars of David with a generic chaplain’s crest could spell the death of the role in Canada’s Armed Forces, says one long-serving veteran of the chaplaincy.
The director of chaplaincy services for the Royal Canadian Chaplaincy Service has also said it would mean that any mentions of God and religious language should be left out of any public ceremonies at Remembrance Day.
“They should employ a language mindful of the Gender Based Analysis (GBA+) principles, incorporate elements in both official languages, and include the use of local languages when appropriate,” the directive read.
The directive also does away with the traditional military chaplain stoles, replacing individual symbols of faith with a generic chaplain’s crest.
“Chaplains must consider the potential that some items or symbols may cause discomfort or traumatic feelings when choosing the dress they wear during public occasions,” the directive reads.
The new directive comes after last year’s
report from the defence minister’s systemic racism and discrimination advisory panel that recommended Canada cease hiring chaplains from faiths with more traditional beliefs and recommended sweeping changes for the CAF chaplaincy program.
Religion, the report states, should be considered a “source of suffering and generational trauma” for some Canadians.
“This is especially true for many lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and two-spirited members of Canadian society,” the report read in its sixth recommendation, entitled “re-defining chaplaincy.”
The director of chaplaincy services for the Royal Canadian Chaplaincy Service has said that in public ceremonies the directive urges that there should be no mention of God or religion. “It may restrict our ability to hear the words to In Flanders Fields because it references crosses. It may restrict our ability to sing the national anthem, because it references God. It may restrict our ability to have hymns such as Amazing Grace, which are often sung at remembrance services.”
The directive urges chaplains to 'adopt a sensitive and inclusive approach' during public addresses
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