Military chaplains may soon have to wear insignias on their uniforms that will apply to all faiths. Chaplains currently wear a Maltese Cross on their caps — a feature of the badge worn by all Canadian forces chaplains since the three services united in 1968. "It's still in the development stage, but we're seriously considering it," said Col. Stan Johnstone, director of chaplain policy, at the Chaplain's General Office.
The decision was prompted by the hiring of a Muslim chaplain in 2003 by the Canadian Forces. "Since we became an interfaith branch, we should have a badge under which all can serve without compromising their identity," said Johnstone. Whether a new cap badge is adopted or not, chaplains of all faiths will continue to wear a faith identifier elsewhere on their uniforms. Christians will bear a simple cross, Muslims a crescent, and a Star of David for Jewish rabbis. To further include all faiths, chaplains have been asked to be sensitive to other faiths when ministering in diverse settings, and say prayers that are as inclusive as possible.
The new symbol will also be used on the flag at the office of the Chaplain General in Ottawa. Johnstone said the response to the proposed change has been unprecedented. Several MPs have spoken against the change, arguing that most chaplains are Christian and using a more generic symbol will fail to reflect that identity.
The Presbyterian Church in Canada employs nine full-time military chaplains, with four in reserve.
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