The Canadian Armed Forces Chaplain Branch Returns to its Historical Identity

News Release

Oct 16, 2014 Ottawa, ON - Department of National Defence

Today the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Chaplain Branch was renamed the Royal Canadian Chaplain Service. This Royal designation has been restored to honour and commemorate the Branch’s long and proud history of providing spiritual care and support to CAF operations, our military members and their families.

Quick Facts

The restoration of a Royal prefix to the CAF Chaplain Branch was sought to reconnect with the heritage of the former Royal Canadian Army Chaplain Corps and the chaplain services of the pre-unification Royal Canadian Navy and Royal Canadian Air Force.
His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada, communicated the approval of these changes by Buckingham Palace while addressing CAF leadership today.
The restoration of the Royal designation to the CAF Chaplain Branch is another step in the process to recognize traditional service and corps identities in the CAF that begun in August 2011, and in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the start of the First World War and the 75th anniversary of the start of the Second World War.
To date, the restoration of historical names has included the Royal Canadian Navy, the Canadian Army, the Royal Canadian Air Force, the Royal Canadian Medical Service, the Royal Canadian Dental Corps, the Royal Canadian Armoured Corps, the Royal Canadian Corps of Signals, the Royal Canadian Engineers, and the Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers.
Both at home and on international operations, CAF chaplains provide comprehensive religious and spiritual support, advice, and care to military commanders, CAF members and their families. An interfaith team, the Royal Canadian Chaplain Service includes representation from over twenty different Christian denominations and from the Jewish and Muslim faiths.

Quotes

“Wherever our Canadian Armed Forces members may be found, at home or abroad, you will find military chaplains providing invaluable care and support. The restoration of the Royal prefix to the Canadian Armed Forces Chaplain Branch honours this community of service men and women who have humbly sacrificed so much in service to our country.”
Honourable Rob Nicholson
Minister of National Defence

“The restoration of the Royal prefix recognizes both the valorous service Canadian military chaplains have provided throughout past conflicts and the tremendous accomplishments they have witnessed in recent military operations, most notably in Afghanistan. We are truly humbled and blessed to receive this great honour.”
Brigadier-General John Fletcher
Chaplain General of the Canadian Armed Forces

Associated Links

Canadian Armed Forces Chaplaincy
www.forces.gc.ca/en/caf-community-support-services/chaplaincy.page

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Contact

Media Relations
Department of National Defence
Phone: (613) 996-2353
Toll-Free: 1 866 377-0811

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The Canadian Armed Forces Chaplain Branch Returns to its Historical Identity

News Release

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