The bishop in charge of overseeing Catholic military chaplains expresses his satisfaction that the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) have temporarily suspended a directive that prohibited prayer during official functions. Bishop Scott McCaig, who leads the Catholic Military Ordinariate of Canada, applauds the responsiveness of Chaplain General Brig.-Gen. Guy Belisle in addressing the concerns raised. However, McCaig’s organization is not in the chain of command but is part of the Interfaith Committee on Canadian Military Chaplaincy (ICCMC), which is responsible for selecting military chaplains.
Belisle sent an email to the chaplaincy, stating that the directive would be temporarily halted for Remembrance Day. The directive, implemented on October 11, removed the ability of chaplains to say a prayer during official functions and replaced it with “spiritual reflections.” The policy emphasized the importance of inclusive practices respecting the diversity of beliefs within the CAF. Chaplains who failed to comply could face removal from the service. Previously, chaplains were permitted to offer an inclusive prayer followed by a moment of reflection for non-believers.
McCaig expresses gratitude that prayers for veterans and the fallen will be allowed at this year’s Remembrance Day commemorations. Belisle maintains his support for the spirit of the directive, which aligns with a 2015 Supreme Court decision on state neutrality in religious affairs and the diversity and inclusion cultural change framework implemented by the Liberal government. However, he clarifies that any chaplain participating in this year’s Remembrance Day ceremony can propose a spiritual reflection or use the practice of recent years, which some interpret as a reference to prayer.
Former military chaplain Harold Ristau suggests that the pause in the directive may only apply to this year’s Remembrance Day ceremony. He points out that subsequent public ceremonies might ban prayer according to the new directive and believes that the pause is a public relations move intended to address public backlash. Ristau feels that the absence of prayer on Remembrance Day could have been noticeable and scandalous to the average Canadian.
Belisle announces that the policy will undergo review by a committee. McCaig stresses the importance of a truly inclusive committee that can properly balance state neutrality and freedom of religion, recognizing that state neutrality does not equate to the exclusion of religious and spiritual expression. McCaig had previously criticized the lack of consultation with the ICCMC regarding the new directive, expressing concerns raised by Catholic chaplains and other members of the Military Ordinariate.
Two serving chaplains who wished to remain anonymous express hope that the lifting of the prayer ban will be permanent. They believe that radical policies and social experimentation are detrimental to morale, retention, recruitment, and operational capabilities within the military. The chaplain general’s decision to allow prayer on Remembrance Day is seen as a small victory, but it is also a reminder that the right to pray should never have been taken away in the first place.
The news of the prayer ban sparked controversy, with Conservatives raising the issue. Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre criticizes the Trudeau government for not allowing veterans to pray. Defence Minister Bill Blair responds, accusing the Conservatives of spreading misinformation and asserting that chaplains are not and will not be banned from prayer on Remembrance Day or any other time. Blair’s office has not provided further comment on the matter.