Changes to chaplaincy program cause concern, confusion at Ontario Catholic school board [Video]

An Ontario school board says chaplains will remain at all high schools, although some vacancies will be created because unionized teachers will no longer be allowed to take on the additional role of spiritual advisor.

The Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board insists the chaplains will be on the job despite ongoing concerns from the school community that the program will be altered to make the pastoral services less available to those at the secondary level.

A statement by the board sent to INsauga.com today (March 26) said the changes are meant to broaden the scope of the chaplaincy service to include more faith-based initiatives at their home schools and will now include pastoral support at the elementary feeder schools.

The changes will go into effect at the beginning of the next school year.

In Dufferin-Peel, like most Catholic school systems in the province, chaplains are in place to foster faith …