Chaplains in Afghanistan ... miracles happen
by Ana Watts
Padre Malcolm Berry is in Afghanistan praying for his soldiers, their families, his team of chaplains and a miracle. This New Brunswick Anglican chaplain would be more than satisfied with the “everybody comes back safely” miracle. 
He would be thrilled with the “belligerents put their arms down and come to the political table” miracle. But just in case neither of those miracles is in the offing, he’s prepared to help the soldiers of the Second Battalion Royal Canadian Regiment (2RCR) and their families get through whatever their six-month tour of duty has in store for them.
“As chaplains we do not bare arms, we actually disdain war and the ugliness of it,” said Padre Berry in an interview shortly before he left for Kandahar on Feb. 16. “We are going there to support the Canadian soldiers who are trying to get an important job done for the people of Afghanistan –– at their invitation.”
Padre Berry has long been a chaplain in the reserve forces and until recently was the archdeacon of Moncton and rector of the parish of Shediac. In Afghanistan he is senior chaplain, perhaps the first reservist to hold such a position. He has three other chaplains serving with him; one is another New Brunswick Anglican.
Padre Steele Lazerte was ordained in 1999 and has been a chaplain in the regular forces for the past two years. Before that he served in a parish in the diocese of Niagara.
“I’ve been with the battalion for two years and I know the troops,” says Padre Lazerte. “I feel very fortunate to have the position of battle group chaplain, to minister to and meet the needs of soldiers in combat. I have worked with these troops every day for the past two years, have helped many of them along the way, and this tour is an extension of that. Because I know these people, I can be a better chaplain, but if something happens to one of them, it will be harder. When friends get hurt it is that much harder.”
The battlefield is not a mission field, but as the saying goes, “there are no atheists in a foxhole.” Military chaplains work as a team and minister everyone and are sensitive to the needs and concerns of many faiths.
They are well prepared with specialized training for Afghanistan, and knowledge of casualty evacuation procedures and all that goes with them. All that knowledge and the assurance of your prayerful support enables them to work effectively with medical personnel and the troops at the front lines.
