Catholic bishops of Canada condemn ban on prayer in military events

In its August 18 statement, the CCCB emphasized that it “stands in solidarity” with Bishop McCaig’s August 10 statement, in which His Excellency noted that forcing military chaplains and members to separate their “spiritual well-being” from God is the very same type of coercion that guidance claims to protect.

In July, the CAF issued new guidance on “spiritual reflections in military settings,” defined as “inclusive public addresses” that foster “meaning, purpose, and spiritual well-being.”

They are notably not to “use religious-specific language, including references to God, etc.,” but rather “reflect upon lessons learned, beliefs, values, and experiences to inspire gratitude, remembrance, hope, and integrity,” grounded in “respect for freedom of conscience and religious expression, while upholding the dignity and value of diverse spiritual traditions.” It contains exceptions for funerals, voluntary religious gatherings, private counseling, and indigenous practices.

“The CCCB stands in solidarity with Bishop McCaig as he raises these concerns on behalf of the Catholic faithful entrusted to his pastoral care,” the CCCB wrote in its statement. “The Conference is studying the new policy and will continue to follow its implementation, particularly with regard to its implications for freedom of conscience and religion and for the place of religious expression within the Canadian Armed Forces.”

“At this early stage, the CCCB encourages the faithful and all people of goodwill to become informed about these developments and to pray for the CAF, its members, chaplains, and families, as well as for Bishop McCaig in his pastoral ministry to Canada’s Catholic military community,” the conference added.

In his previous statement, McCaig offered a stirring rebuke to the new guidance for coercing Catholics into not being able to practice their faith.

“This directive deals with a particular kind of address, namely ‘spiritual reflections. By the instructions’ own definition, this means they deal with matters of ‘meaning, purpose, and spiritual well being.’” The instruction rightly recognizes that one can be spiritual or engage in spiritual reflection without being religious (Section 2, note 2),” the bishop wrote.

“This is certainly true, but the instruction goes much further. It says chaplains and others giving spiritual reflections not only CAN give spiritual reflections without religious references, but that they MUST do so,” he added. “For a great many people, chaplains and members alike, one cannot separate ‘meaning, purpose, and spiritual well being’ from ‘God, etc.’ Yet they are required by this instruction to do precisely that. They are required to do so despite it being contrary to sincerely held beliefs and the conviction of conscience. Is this not precisely the kind of coercion that the Charter is meant to protect us from?”

Indeed, the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms affirms that “everyone” has “fundamental freedoms” of “conscience and religion”; “thought, belief, opinion and expression”; “peaceful assembly”; and “association,” all of which are imperiled by restrictions on religious gathering and expression.

As reported extensively by LifeSiteNews, the Canadian military has made several attempts to suppress religious expression in recent years.

Last September, the CAF issued a directive to chaplains ahead of last year’s Remembrance Day to “avoid SFT-specific (Spiritual / Faith Tradition) words, actions and symbols, including metaphysical references,” in their prayers at holiday events.

In 2024, the CAF banned prayer at all Remembrance Day celebrations, prompting outcry from citizens, military members, and political figures. In 2023, the CAF issued a directive placing harsh restrictions on public prayer, though it was rescinded after public and military backlash.