Sacred shifts: The evolution of Canada’s Chaplain Service
July 29, 2026 – Defence Stories
Estimated read time – 2:26
The Royal Canadian Chaplain Service (RCChS) contributes to the operational effectiveness of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) by supporting the moral and spiritual wellbeing of military personnel and their families. CAF chaplains work in all military environments with members of the Royal Canadian Navy, the Canadian Army, the Royal Canadian Air Force, and the Canadian Special Operations Forces Command. They support everyone, whether a person follows a specific religion, has no religious practice, or is simply exploring their spirituality.
Throughout the years, the RCChS has evolved and continuously grown to foster inclusivity and diversity through the ways in which they support the moral and spiritual wellbeing of military personnel and their families. The history dates back to 1921, when the first Canadian Chaplain Service was created. Later, in 1969, the modern Chaplain Branch was formed when the Navy, Army, and Air Force were unified into one Canadian military.
Before 1995, there were two separate chaplain branches: one Roman Catholic and one Protestant. Each had its own Chaplain General. In 1995, these branches merged into one, under a single Chaplain General. Since then, the RCChS has expanded to include chaplains from a wide range of traditions. These include Roman Catholic, more than 20 Protestant denominations, Humanist, Orthodox Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Sikh, Unitarian Universalist, Indigenous spiritualities, and others. Today, the chaplaincy is a diverse and reliable source of spiritual and faith‑based care.
In 2014, the CAF Chaplain Branch was renamed the Royal Canadian Chaplain Service. This Royal designation was given to honour its long history of supporting CAF operations, members, and families.
New Canadian Armed Forces Military Personnel Instruction: Spiritual reflections in military settings
The CAF recognizes that its members come from many different religious and spiritual backgrounds, including those who do not follow a specific religion. The Chaplain General and CAF chaplains are committed to caring for everyone, no matter their spiritual or faith tradition.
As such, a new Canadian Armed Forces Military Personnel Instruction on Spiritual Reflections in Military Settings has been created to explain the responsibilities of commanders, chaplains, and all CAF members following the 2015 Supreme Court ruling and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Under this new policy, Chaplains will offer spiritual reflections in settings where people from many beliefs are present, expanding their role so that everyone can take part meaningfully in public ceremonies. This does not limit a CAF member’s personal beliefs or ability to hear, interpret, and internalize the spiritual reflection in accordance with their own spiritual or faith tradition. Nor does it limit a chaplain’s ability to offer prayer, specific religious ritual, and care from their particular spiritual or faith tradition to anyone who may ask or in voluntary settings.
Ultimately, the CAF is strengthened by the diversity of traditions, backgrounds, and beliefs of its members. Recommending policies to support this diversity is a moral and ethical responsibility of the RCChS, which will enable all CAF leadership in their commitment to care for all.
Contacts
In an urgent situation, contact the chaplains’ office at your closest CAF formation, base, or wing. For additional information or to contact a chaplain in a non-urgent manner during regular business hours, contact Chaplain services:
- by email: ChaplainMain-AumoneriePrincipale@forces.gc.ca
- by telephone: 1-866-502-2203