In a statement released on Friday, the Conservative Party has accused the Liberals of a “disgusting” prohibition of military chaplains from delivering prayers on Remembrance Day.
This nationwide ban applies across all of Canada, making it clear to chaplains that there are no exemptions.
In their statement, the Conservative Party called the NDP-Liberal government “liars,” revealing that Liberal Minister of National Defense Bill Blair had promised Canadians last year that prayer would not be banned.
“Let’s be very clear: @CanadianForces chaplains are not – and will not be – banned from prayer on Remembrance Day, nor at any other time,” Blair’s 2023 tweet wrote.
The Canadian military chaplain provides essential spiritual support and guidance to service members, ensuring their emotional and psychological well-being in times of stress and conflict.
“Before the NDP-Liberal government banned prayers, chaplains were allowed to recite a prayer with faith-specific language during official functions, and made sure to invite those of different beliefs to reflect or pray in whatever way they wished,” the Conservative’s statement reads.
Furthermore, the Conservatives revealed that, in the name of inclusion, the Trudeau government is forbidding the word “prayer” and replacing it with “spiritual reflections.” Moreover, chaplains should “employ a language mindful of the Gender-Based Analysis principles,” otherwise risk facing disciplinary measures.
The statement concluded with Conservatives promising to oppose the Liberals’ woke agenda, advocating for the Canadian Military, and promoting common sense.
Military Ordinary Exposes Absurdity of the Policy
Following the Conservatives’ statement, the a few Liberal MPs have called them liars, as well.
Minister of National Defense, Bill Blair, issued a statement refuting the claim that they have forbidden prayer.
“As Minister of National Defence, let me be unequivocally clear: the directive that the Chaplain General independently developed and published in October 2023 does not, and never did ban prayer,” Blair stated.
However, Bishop Scott McCaig of the Military Ordinariate of Canada, released a statement of his own, acknowledging that the intention of the directive was noble, but stating that the outcome appears to be a “non-religious” approach.
Bishop McGaig also said this pivot away from prayer goes against the “Saguenay decision of the Supreme Court, which requires government neutrality on religious issues.”
He further stated that there have never been mandatory religious events on Remembrance Day, and individuals can voluntarily choose to participate.
McCaig continued, “These inconsistencies and concerns will need to be pursued and answered in the future in order to ensure the religious conscience rights of all.”
