Meeting of the Interfaith Committee on Canadian Military Chaplaincy

(ICCMC)

Ottawa, September 18–19, 2025

His Grace Bishop Ioan Casian participated on September 18 and 19 in the meeting of the Interfaith Committee on Canadian Military Chaplaincy (ICCMC), as a representative of the Canadian Conference of Orthodox Bishops (CCOB). The meeting took place in Ottawa, Ontario, and brought together representatives from various Christian denominations, as well as from other religious and spiritual traditions.

The gathering was structured into several sessions.

The opening of the meeting featured a reflection by His Grace Bishop Ioan Casian, who spoke about the importance of the purity of the eye, upon which a person's entire life depends, and about loyalty to one Lord. At the same time, the Romanian hierarch emphasized the necessity of sharing common human values with representatives of other religious or spiritual traditions.

On the first day, discussions focused on the steps taken by the new leadership, particularly by the Office of the Chaplain General of the Canadian Armed Forces. Topics included the modernization of procedures, organizational structures, and responsibilities, as well as the adoption of a consultative approach to implementing these changes.

The need to recruit a greater number of chaplains was highlighted, along with the necessity for specific training to enable them to effectively coordinate their own work and that of those under their supervision. The importance of gathering consistent feedback from the field was also underlined, as a means to better understand and manage the challenges encountered in this role.

Other topics addressed included the responsibilities of chaplains and the disciplinary procedures applicable in problematic cases.

A point of significant interest was the recently ready to be issued directive regarding the use of meditation based on shared ethical values as a replacement for prayer. Some ICCMC members expressed concern about the limited consultative process by which this directive was formulated, considering that it does not adequately reflect a neutral stance by state institutions toward religion. These changes may affect the recruitment of military chaplains or may lead some to step away from their positions due to the exclusion of prayer from public military events.

The certification requirements for candidates applying for chaplaincy positions were also discussed, in light of the standards set by the Canadian Armed Forces.

Another key issue raised was the increase in violence in society, particularly violence targeting individuals or religious communities. The need to adopt a common position was emphasized—one that promotes understanding, peaceful attitudes, and dialogue, even in cases where there are differing views on certain issues or events.

ICCMC members expressed their desire to meet with the Canadian Minister of National Defence to discuss the spirit and implications of the new directive.

During the meeting, the members of the new ICCMC executive council were elected.

The meeting concluded with a spiritual reflection offered by one of the ICCMC members.