Monitoring of Chaplain Credentials

Topic

Monitoring of Chaplain Credentials

Case number

• 2015-240 (F&R date: 2016-01-22)

Description

The Committee noted that the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) had employed a member as a Chaplain for more than four years before the Chaplain’s Branch became aware that within months of starting his military service, the member’s license had lapsed. As a result, the member served as a Chaplain without valid credentials from his faith group. This extended period of unlicensed chaplaincy work raised a potential weakness in the monitoring of the credentials and licenses of CAF Chaplains.

Recommendation

The Committee recommended that the Chaplain’s Branch put into place a system of proper verification to ensure that only those persons maintaining valid credentials from their respective faith groups and having the endorsement of the Interfaith Committee on Canadian Military Chaplaincy, and an active mandate from the Chaplain General, are permitted to serve as CAF Chaplains.

Final Authority Decision

Case withdrawn at Final Authority level.