Canada ends work of non-Christian chaplains

The Canadian government is canceling the contracts of all non-Christian chaplains at federal prisons. By next spring, Muslim, Jewish, Sikh and other non-Christian inmates will be expected to turn to Christian prison chaplains for religious counsel and guidance.

In an e-mail to reporters on October 4, the office of Public Safety Minister Vic Toews, who is responsible for Canada’s federal penitentiaries, said the government “strongly supports the freedom of religion for all Canadians, including prisoners.

“However, [it] is not in the business of picking and choosing which religions will be given preferential status through government funding. The minister has concluded . . . that chaplains employed by [the Correctional Service of Canada] must provide services to inmates of all faiths,” the e-mail said.