Chaplain

As a member of the military, CAF chaplains are responsible for fostering the spiritual, religious, and pastoral care of Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members and their families, regardless of religious affiliation, practice, and/or belief.

CAF chaplains have privileged access to CAF members of all ranks, have no command authority, and are prohibited from bearing arms. Their responsibilities include:

• Providing an active, personal, and supportive presence
• Officiating at special functions, service, events, and ceremonies
• Advising the Chain of Command regarding spiritual/religious accommodation issues, ethical dilemmas, as well as spiritual and moral issues pertaining to the Formation/Unit/Squadron
• Applying knowledge in general military administration and RCChS policies.
• Liaising with local area civilian Faith Tradition leaders
• Referring CAF members and their families to other helping professionals, such as social workers, psychologists, or medical personnel, as required
• Providing compassionate and caring support during, and following, significant life events and incidents

Work environment

CAF chaplains work in all military environments with members of the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN), the Canadian Army (CA), the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), and Canadian Special Operations Forces (CANSOF). CAF chaplains provide an active, personal and supportive presence, and offer spiritual and personal growth counselling, programmes, and events throughout the year. Public services and military ceremonies typically require the chaplain to participate and offer spiritual reflections. CAF chaplains can work in Canada, or may be required to go abroad during operations.

Chaplains are spiritual leaders in the Canadian Armed Forces who support military personnel in their careers both at home and abroad. Chaplains care for and advise members of the Forces on spiritual expression that includes all types of world religions.

Chaplains typically begin their ministries as a unit chaplain with the Navy, Army or Air Force for the first three to four years of service.

Minimum Requirements

Chaplains must be ordained or mandated by a nationally registered Faith Tradition, and have a Graduate-level professional degree in Faith Tradition formation (MDiv or equivalent), be a member in good standing with a national Faith Tradition Governing Authority, and have at least two years of fulltime, supervised Faith Tradition leadership experience. They must also receive the recommendation of a representative of the Interfaith Committee on Canadian Military Chaplaincy (ICCMC), the endorsement of the ICCMC, and be selected by the Chaplain General.

Related Civilian Occupations

• Faith Tradition Leader
• Spiritual/Pastoral Counsellor
• Hospital, School, Prison, University Chaplain

Regional Chaplains Contact Information: Please choose the region below to find the contact information of the regional chaplain.

Manitoba and Saskatchewan
1 Canadian Air Division Chaplain
Lt(N) David Godkin
Email: David.Godkin@forces.gc.ca
Winnipeg 204-833-2500 x2267