National Defence Confirms Chaplains Can’t Say ‘God’ at Remembrance Day, Other Official Ceremonies

A person touches the helmet on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier after laying a poppy, at the National War Memorial following the National Remembrance Day Ceremony in Ottawa on Nov. 11, 2022. The Canadian Press/Justin Tang

The Department of National Defence has confirmed that chaplains can’t use the word “God” during official ceremonies such as Remembrance Day.

This follows Defence Minister Bill Blair’s dismissal as “misinformation” assertions by the Conservatives that military chaplains are being prohibited from saying prayers at Remembrance Day ceremonies.

In mandatory military ceremonies, “chaplains should not use the word ‘God’ or other references to a higher power such as ‘Heavenly Father,’” Department of National Defence (DND) spokesperson Derek Abma told The Epoch Times in an Oct. 20 statement.

“This is to ensure that all feel included and able to participate in reflection no matter their beliefs.”

The confirmation is related to a new directive issued by the chaplain general of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) on Oct. 11 outlining how military chaplains should officiate at public functions, as exclusively reported by The Epoch Times.

The new guideline, which replaces a 2013 directive on public prayer, refers to a public address by chaplains’ as “reflection” rather than prayer.

“Chaplains shall endeavour to ensure that all feel included and able to participate in the reflection with a clear conscience, no matter their beliefs (religious, spiritual, agnostic, atheist),” says the new directive. It also says chaplains must adhere to a 2015 Supreme Court opinion on the religious neutrality of the state.

In line with Mr. Blair’s position, Mr. Abma insists that “CAF chaplains are not banned from prayer on Remembrance Day, or at any other time.”

Veterans remove their hats during prayer at a Remembrance Day ceremony in Quebec City on Nov. 11, 2016. The Canadian Press/Jacques Boissinot

Mr. Abma added, “Where in civic ceremonies, where the faith stance of participants [is] unknown or likely to include peoples of no expressed faith, chaplains shall avoid faith specific and exclusive language.”

The Epoch Times asked DND to clarify if chaplains, participating in an official capacity at ceremonies like Remembrance Day, are allowed to recite a prayer like they were allowed to before the Oct. 11 directive was issued.

Mr. Abma didn’t immediately respond, but said the question would be sent to the chaplaincy.

On Oct. 18, Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre said on social media that the government is “banning Muslim, Jewish and Christian military chaplains from praying at Remembrance Day ceremonies.”

Mr. Blair retorted that the Tories “spread misinformation about our military.”

“Let’s be very clear: [Canadian Forces] chaplains are not – and will not be – banned from prayer on Remembrance Day, nor at any other time,” he said.

Three serving chaplains who spoke to The Epoch Times on condition of anonymity fearing reprisals said that the new policy is being interpreted as a prayer ban during official functions such as Remembrance Day and mess dinners.

The directive says that soldiers are not required to remove their headdress anymore for the spiritual reflections as they would previously for prayers, and one chaplain says this is further proof that prayer is now banned.

“There will be no more removal of headdress—this order will basically never be given anymore, because we’re not going to be doing any prayer in public anymore,” the chaplain said.

“There will not be any public, religious, or reference to God … that will be demonstrated.”