141/26, Canadian Armed Forces Military Personnel Instruction (CAFMPI) 03/26 — Spiritual Reflections in Military Settings

CANFORGEN 141/26 CMP 065/26 291731Z JUL 26

Refs:

1. Queen's Regulations and Orders Chapter 33
2. Chaplain General Directive (2023): Chaplain General Direction on Chaplain’s Spiritual Reflection in Public Settings
3. Spiritual Reflections in Military Settings, FAQ — Chaplaincy (Accessible only on the National Defence network)
   1. The purpose of this CANFORGEN is to announce the promulgation of CAFMPI 03/26, Spiritual Reflections in Military Settings, which supersedes the Chaplain General Directive Chaplain’s Spiritual Reflection in Public Settings dated 11 October 2023. This instruction applies to all members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), with particular attention to the chaplain role.
   2. Commanders, chaplains, and all members of the CAF have a moral, ethical, and legal obligation to represent religious neutrality in the execution of their public duties when called upon to deliver a spiritual reflection in a military setting, respecting the cultural and spiritual diversity of CAF members.
   3. The Chaplain General identified that former directives on this topic should be updated to better reflect the values of inclusivity and diversity reinforced in the 2015 Supreme Court of Canada decision Mouvement laïque québécois v. Saguenay (City). This decision prompted a re examination of how the CAF must engage in public spiritual expressions in a manner that avoids infringement on individual rights and freedoms protected under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
   4. This CAFMPI defines spiritual reflection and elaborates on responsibilities for commanders, chaplains and all CAF members and Department of National Defence (DND) employees when providing spiritual reflections in military settings, as well as any other person operating in support such as volunteers, students, casual workers, and contractors. Topics such as military ceremonies, military and state funerals, Indigenous spiritual and cultural practices, and historical customs and traditions are addressed.
   5. For a more detailed discussion on this topic, please consult the FAQ at Reference C.
   6. Members are to contact their local or unit chaplains with questions related to this CANFORGEN. The Directorate of Chaplain Services 2 3 (Policy) can also be reached at: CMPRCCHSPOLICIES-CPMSAUMRCPOLITIQUES@forces.gc.ca.
   7. The CMP Administrative Response Centre (ARC) is available to provide simplified access to clarification and interpretation of CMP personnel policies. The ARC can be contacted at:
      1. Internet email: CMPARC.CRACPM@forces.gc.ca;
      2. Intranet email: +CMP ARC – CRA CPM@CMP D Mil Pers Mgt@Ottawa-Hull; or
      3. By calling: 1-833-445-1182; or
      4. By visiting the Chief Military Personnel Administrative Response Centre.