Archdiocese honoured for support of military chaplaincy

By RENATO GANDIA
WCR Staff Writer
Ottawa

"The Catholic Archdiocese of Edmonton has provided extraordinary employer support to Lieutenant Commander (Father Len) Cadieux in allowing him to serve as a military chaplain in the reserve force," says the citation.

Since 1999 Cadieux has been regularly allowed time away from his duties as a parish priest in Edmonton to serve in the Canadian Forces chaplain branch in Canada, as well as an extended leave of absence to do peacekeeping service in the Golan Heights.

The council also commended Archbishop Thomas Collins for his encouragement to other priests of the archdiocese to consider serving as reserve force chaplains.

Since 1994 the biennial Employer Support Awards are given by CFLC. The awards honour employers who have shown outstanding support for the primary reserve force.

Public affairs officer Major Alexander Peterson, told the WCR, "This was a rather unique nomination."

Of the 218 nominations this year from reservists across Canada, the archdiocese was the only local Church nominee.

"What we did was we looked at each nomination on its own merit to know what type of support the reservist received from their employers," said Peterson.

Thirteen awards were given, including one each for the 10 provinces, one national award and one award for support to Canadian Forces Operations.

Primary reservists serve in the Canadian Forces on a part-time basis and most of them either have civilian employment or are students.

"Winners of the awards recognize the value of military training to their organizations. These employers recognize that being a member of the reserve force represents ongoing professional development," said the organizers.

In supporting the reserves CFLC recognizes that employers go the extra mile in terms of their human resources policies governing time off for military service.

The Canadian Forces acknowledge the employers recognition of the value that these reservists bring to their civilian workplace through their military training and activities.

As a result of their military training, reservists become more experienced, capable and motivated employees. As well, military service prepares students for the civilian workplace.

Father Leo Hofman accepted the award on behalf of the archdiocese.

Cadieux, pastor of St. Michael's Parish in Leduc, is the ship's chaplain of HMCS Nonsuch in Edmonton and the command chaplain for the Canadian Naval Reserve. He nominated the archdiocese for the award.

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