Bishop Ioan Casian participated in a meeting of the Interfaith Committee on Canadian Military Chaplaincy (ICCMC) of the Canadian Armed Forces, held in Borden, Ontario.
The gathering, which took place on 28–29 May, brought together representatives of various Christian denominations, religious traditions and spiritual communities. Bishop Ioan Casian represented the Conference of Orthodox Bishops of Canada (CCOB).
During the sessions, the Office of the Chaplain General presented a plan to modernise the military chaplaincy, focusing on leadership development, streamlining administrative processes, and expanding the recruitment base.
Dialogue with Military Authorities
Participants emphasised that the evaluation of chaplains should not be limited to technical or administrative criteria. According to the meeting’s conclusions, assessments should also take into account the deeper dimension of vocation, character formation—including humility, courage and authenticity—and pastoral resilience.
Another important topic concerned the institutional relationship between the ICCMC, military structures and the Office of the Chaplain General.
Participants highlighted the need for closer, more transparent cooperation, proposing clear consultation and communication protocols, regular meetings between executive leadership teams, and the renewal of the Memorandum of Understanding with Canada’s Department of National Defence.
Selection Standards for Military Chaplains
The meeting also examined new selection standards for military chaplains aimed at reducing cultural barriers and establishing an equitable competency framework based on education, practical experience and interpersonal skills.
In discussions with the Canadian Association for Spiritual Care (CASC), participants explored the relationship between traditional theological formation and contemporary psycho-spiritual therapy, stressing the need for clear professional standards and academic accreditation.
The proceedings concluded with the election of a new ICCMC leadership team and the establishment of a schedule for future meetings.
Photo: Facebook / Diocese of Canada
