A Department of National Defence (DND) advisory panel has recommended barring individuals from the military chaplaincy whose organized religion’s beliefs do not align with the department’s equality and social justice values.
The Minister of National Defence Advisory Panel on Systemic Racism and Discrimination’s Final Report for January 2022 reads that “(i)t is necessary to recognize that for some Canadians religion can be a source of suffering and generational trauma. This is especially true for many lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and two-spirited members of Canadian society.”
The panel’s first of four recommendations – contained beneath the heading of “Re-Defining Chaplaincy” – is blunt.
“Do not consider for employment as spiritual guides or multi-faith representatives Chaplaincy applicants affiliated with religious groups whose values are not aligned with those of the Defence Team.”
