dept. of defense

Col. Archdeacon Karl McLean

The Council of General Synod listened to a presentation made by Col. Archdeacon Karl McLean, Anglican military ordinariate of Canada, about the role that Canadian military chaplains and soldiers play in Kandahar, Afghanistan. Chaplains often provide pastoral counselling to soldiers who are involved in combat and other operations by helping them “to find meaning in the midst of chaos,” he said. “When they (soldiers) look at us, they see God and feel God’s presence.”

He also gave an overview of the situation in Afghanistan and cited as outstanding issues religious freedom, ethnic tribal co-operation, the transition from a drug economy to a healthy economy, prisoners of war, poverty, lack of health, among others. Archdeacon McLean, who visited Kandahar in December, plans to go back in the fall and winter.