Prayers at Remembrance Day Ceremonies?

 There has been a been a kerfuffle on social media and in elements of the press about prayer being banned at Remembrance Day services in Canada. Lo and behold, this is inaccurate, although a balance is being sought.  

For decades I've been attending Remembrance Day services at centotaphs and memorials and I have to confess that as a Christian in a pluralistic society I have sometimes been unsettled by the tone of religious prayer at these events. While I am convinced that spiritual content should be included, the prayers can lean toward old-timey "Heavenly Father this, Heavenly Father that..." language without much effort at inclusion. Here in Belleville I wish that there was an effort at involving Indigneous spirituality, since we're so close to Tyendinaga, as well as representation from other faith traditions. Even to have some acknowledgement of other forms of spirituality would be meaningful. 

Of course, military chaplains come from a variety of religious backgrounds and their work continues to be important. 

Here is the press release from the Royal Canadian Legion regarding prayer at ceremonies and the role chaplains can play: 

Prayers can still be a part of Remembrance Day ceremonies

OTTAWA, ON, 27 OCTOBER 2023 – It is The Royal Canadian Legion that organizes the National Remembrance Day ceremony in Ottawa, as well as many others across our country.

To help clear any confusion created by incomplete or inaccurate information being circulated, it is critical to understand the following:

“Prayer will remain an important part of Remembrance Day ceremonies organized by the Legion, including the one at the National War Memorial. While military chaplains are required to modify their language, that decision does not eliminate the inclusion of prayer to God or a higher power by other spiritual representatives at Legion ceremonies.”