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Backgrounder
The Canadian Forces Chaplaincy
BG-05.013 (update of / mise à jour de 03.052) - May 24, 2005
Background
Chaplains have been an important part of the Canadian Forces (CF) since the Boer War (1899-1902). Before a permanent chaplaincy was established during World War II, the CF employed chaplains for specific conflicts to support the troops. During World War I, for instance, more than 400 Protestant and Roman Catholic chaplains enrolled in the military to provide spiritual support and comfort to those in uniform.
Today, chaplains continue to serve on military bases and on humanitarian operations, as well as NATO and United Nations peacekeeping missions.
Mission
The mission of the Chaplain Branch is to support and enhance the operational effectiveness of the Canadian Forces by contributing to the moral and spiritual well-being of the members of the CF and their families in all aspects of their lives, during conflict and peacetime.
Structure
The Chaplain Branch is comprised of the Roman Catholic and various Protestant denominations. It is headed by a Chaplain General who is the advisor to the Chief of the Defence Staff and who reports administratively to the Assistant Deputy Minister (Human Resources - Military). The Chaplain General is responsible for recruiting, training, and managing the ministry of chaplains within the Canadian Forces. He is also responsible for Branch and personnel policy, and for related ecclesiastical and corporate administration.
A number of Christian denominations are currently represented in the chaplaincy, including Baptist, Anglican, Roman Catholic, United Church, Free Methodist, Pentecostal, Lutheran, Presbyterian, and Salvation Army. There is also a Muslim chaplain.
There are approximately 170 chaplains currently serving in the Regular Force, and about 145 serving in the Reserve Force. Women are also members of the chaplaincy, working either as Protestant clergy or Roman Catholic pastoral associates.
The Chaplain's Role
While parish ministers serve mainly those people who are active participants in their church or parish, military chaplains' areas of interest are much broader. They are responsible for ministering to the needs of all members of the CF and their families, whether or not they attend church on a regular basis or are of the same religion. Chaplains minister to their own, facilitate the worship of others and care for all.
The Chaplain Branch continues to evolve, encompassing both chapel-based activities and providing a “ministry of presence” wherever military personnel may be found. Chaplains identify with the troops by being present in both the military and personal aspects of their lives.
Chaplains are part of the fabric of the base, unit, or area and, like all Canadian military personnel, they are also subject to overseas deployments. Regardless of the type of mission and the number of troops deployed, chaplains will be there to minister to them both in Canada and abroad.
Achieving the Mission
The Chaplain Branch provides a variety of services to members of the CF and their families as they strive to achieve their mission. One of its main objectives is to provide support to CF operations.
By ministering to the emotional, spiritual, and moral needs of the members and their families, the chaplains enhance the CF's operational effectiveness. Offering counsel and support to personnel during times of stress or crisis is one means among many of enhancing the success of the mission. It is also not uncommon for chaplains to continue providing such support to personnel and their families during the post-deployment phase of operations. After overseas deployments, family reintegration may pose certain challenges for some. Chaplains are there to aid in resolving any issues that may only come to the fore after an extended time away from home.
Chaplains tend to the spiritual needs of personnel by providing religious services such as worship, marriages, funerals, and baptisms, as well as pastoral support and counseling, teaching, crisis intervention, officiating at military ceremonies and much more.
Another important function of the Chaplain Branch is overseeing the professional development and training through the Canadian Forces Chaplain School and Centre. This school, located at Canadian Forces Base Borden, Ontario, assists in the development of chaplains in becoming more proficient in the military milieu, both in domestic and overseas operations. Established in 1993, the school has graduated both Canadian and international students from a variety of nations including United States, Australia, Poland, South Africa, Hungary, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovenia and England.
Interfaith Committee on Canadian Military Chaplaincy
One of the primary responsibilities of the Interfaith Committee on Canadian Military Chaplaincy (ICCMC) is to endorse qualified applicants for military chaplaincy prior to the initiation of the recruitment process.
Each of the major denominations that contribute chaplains to the CF has a civilian representative on the ICCMC. The Pentecostal Church of Canada representative also serves the interests of the smaller denominations that have chaplains in the CF. Also present on this committee is a member of the Canadian Council of Churches. The primary responsibilities of the ICCMC members include acting as a common channel of communication between the faith groups of Canada and the Government of Canada on ecclesiastical matters; providing general oversight of chaplain ministry for members of the CF and their families; being a link between chaplains and the churches; acting as the body that endorses prospective candidates for appointment as chaplains and acting as the body that nominates the candidates for promotion to the rank of Colonel and Brigadier-General/Commodore (Chaplain General) to the Minister of National Defence. The installation of new Chaplains General is jointly celebrated by the ICCMC , the Canadian Forces, and the Government of Canada.
Multifaith Dimension
Currently the Canadian Forces is predominantly Christian, as are its chaplains. The Chaplain Branch, however, is sensitive to and dedicated to providing all CF members and their families with the religious support they require. The multicultural nature of Canadian society is also reflected in the CF. As such, the Chaplain Branch is endeavouring to respond to this emerging dynamic by broadening its membership to chaplains of other faiths. In 2003, the Chaplain Branch enrolled its first Muslim chaplain.
Being sensitive to the diverse beliefs of those present is an important aspect of a chaplain's participation in public ceremonies. While the Chaplain General represents all faith groups at official military ceremonies, the Chaplain Branch has explored avenues whereby a multiplicity of religious leaders can participate. Religious leaders from the Buddhist, First Nations, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim and Sikh communities took part in the prayer vigil for the Unknown Soldier in on Parliament Hill in 2000. Religious leaders from those communities also participated in the multifaith consecration of the National Military Cemetery a week prior to the dedication ceremony in 2001.
Conclusion
Over the years, the role of the military chaplain has evolved from working only during times of war, to providing an ongoing ministry of worship and pastoral care, both on the base and during operations. The ever-changing role of the Canadian military and its increasing support to UN and NATO peacekeeping and humanitarian missions has heightened pressures and demands on CF members, resulting in an increased requirement for moral and spiritual support from members of the Chaplain Branch. The structure of the chaplaincy, however, allows for a flexible organization that will continue to effectively fulfill its mission while maintaining its ecclesiastical responsibilities. The increasing demand for chaplains throughout the CF is indicative of the significant role they perform.
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For more information about the Canadian Forces chaplaincy, see the Chaplain Branch website at http://www.forces.gc.ca/hr/chapgen .
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