Nov
2012
Nov
A recent announcement from the office of Public Safety Minister Vic Toews ”“ that all non-Christian chaplains working in the national penitentiary system will have their contracts cancelled ”“ has sent shockwaves through Canada's interfaith and multicultural organizations.
The Canadian Islamic Congress has denounced the move, saying it is unfair to Canadians of all faiths.
“On one hand, it compromises the minority inmates' right to spiritual guidance as they will be receiving it from Christian chaplains instead of experts of their own faith. On the other hand, it places the extra burden of ministering to those of other faiths on our Christian brothers and sisters. This is not only professionally callous, but disrespectful of their vocation,” said Amin Elshorbagy, CIC National President.
By the end of March 2013, 49 part-time chaplains of various faiths will be removed from Canada's prisons, according to the CBC. The 80 or so full-time chaplains who will keep their jobs are all Christian except for one Muslim.
According to corrections data from the last fiscal year, 12 per cent of inmates identified as non-Christian. Of these, five per cent registered as Muslims.
In a letter to Minister Toews on Oct. 15, a group of 20 prison chaplains serving at various institutions across Canada wrote:
"We are deeply concerned about this decision and saddened by the impact it will have on those whose spiritual lives are fed and nurtured through these services - especially since removing 49 part-time chaplains will affect significant numbers of volunteers, negatively impacting their ability to share their time and talents with inmate populations.”
The chaplains go on to say, "As a result of the decision by your office, all opportunities to provide non-Christian faith communities in the inmate population with part-time contracted professional chaplaincy services of their faith tradition will end. Whether intentional or not, the result of the decision appears discriminatory. Its effect, with only one exception, will be the elimination of all contracts with non-Christian religious organizations.”
In a statement sent to CBC News after last month's review of the current multi-faith services being provided to the nation's 15,000 inmates ”“ of whom five per cent are Muslim ”“ Minister Toews' office said:
“The minister strongly supports the freedom of religion for all Canadians, including prisoners. However, the government ” is not in the business of picking and choosing which religions will be given preferential status through government funding.”
“The statement is contradictory and incoherent; the government is evidently engaging in a policy based on favouritism,” says CIC National Office and Programs' Manager Dalal Daoud. “We call on the Minister to reverse this inconsiderate and untimely decision.”
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