(The Canadian Press)

By Derek Craddock

REMEMBRANCE DAY PRAYERS

New directive on prayer doesn’t affect Remembrance Day services: Legion

Oct 31, 2023 | 5:00 PM

The Royal Canadian Legion says it is not affected by a new rule changing the language used in Remembrance Day prayers by military chaplains.

The new directive was released by the Department of National Defence on Oct 11. In the directive, any prayers given by chaplains in public gatherings and ceremonies must now be inclusive in nature, and respectful of the religious and spiritual diversity of Canadians.

“Chaplains must carefully choose words that are inclusive,” the directive reads. “They should employ a language mindful of the Gender-Based Analysis (GBA+) principles, incorporate elements in both official languages, and include the use of local languages when appropriate.

Under the new order, chaplains will also wear a scarf with the crest of the Royal Canadian Chaplaincy Service rather than a symbol pertaining to a certain faith.

Some have taken the new rules to mean that references to God are prohibited in prayers at ceremonies. Some politicians have taken the measure to mean that prayers are outright cancelled at ceremonies.

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Conservative MP Blake Richards, who serves on the Veterans Affairs Committee even called for an investigation into the changes led by what he called a “woke ideological agenda.”

In a statement to paNOW the Department of National Defence corrected rumours associated with the directive saying “The Canadian Armed Forces chaplains are not – and will not be – banned from prayer on Remembrance Day, or at any other time. The Chaplain General’s directive seeks to ensure that public addresses reflect the spiritual and religious diversity of Canadians.”

The statement references the new directive in saying that language in prayer should be inclusive of everyone but does not point out if any words are prohibited.

The North Saskatchewan Regiment offered no comment about the directive saying Remembrance Day ceremonies are run on behalf of the Royal Canadian Legion.

Branch #120 in Nipawin said they will continue to follow the Order of Service for Remembrance Day unless they are otherwise directed. They said nothing changes for their group as they don’t have an Armed Forces Chaplain.

In a statement issued by the Royal Canadian Legion to supporters across the country, the organization said, “While military chaplains are required to modify their language, that decision does not eliminate the inclusion of prayer to God or a higher power by other spiritual representatives at Legion ceremonies.”

The Legion branch in North Battleford also directed media to Division and Saskatchewan Command while the Battleford Legion Branch #9 said they were not aware of any changes.

paNOW has also reached out to groups such as the ANAVETS club and the Roman Catholic and Catholic Diocese for comment.

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derek.craddock@pattisonmedia.com