KINGSTON, Ont. - For the first time Officer Cadets (OCdts) of various faith
background at the Royal Military College of Canada (RMC) in Kingston, Ont.
will hold an
official multi-faith religious service during this year's RMC Reunion Weekend
at 9 a.m. on Sunday, October 6, in historic Currie Hall.
"
RMC brings together Canadians of all backgrounds and reflects Canadian society
by its mosaic of ethnic groups, cultures and faith traditions," said Brig.-Gen.
Jean Leclerc, Commandant of RMC. "Its student body forms a microcosm of
Canadian society as a whole and makes us all proud of our identity."
"
It is only fitting that when gathering together for reflection and prayer we
celebrate the diversity and unity of RMC and of our country," added Maj.
Christopher Ryan, RMC`s Protestant Padre.
The military cadets to represent their religious traditions during this service
are Fourth Year OCdt Bruno Bérubé - First Nations of Canada prayer;
First Year OCdt Birendra Konara Ranasinghe-Bandara - Buddhist prayer; Fourth
Year OCdt Alinah Espinas Cruz and Third Year OCdt Sébastien Hubert Allard
- Christian prayer; First Year OCdt Ryan Edwards Thomas - Jewish prayer; Second
Year OCdt Loay Mohamed Nabil Abd El-Beltagy - Muslim prayer; First Year OCdt
Taryn Neelam Johal - Sikh prayer; and Second Year OCdt Dazius Mirza - Zoroastrian
prayer.
"
This celebration reflects the diversity and plurality of RMC and Canada as a
nation", said Capt. Swavek Gorniak, RMC's Catholic Padre. "The symbolism
of this service should extend well beyond RMC's grounds. Without a doubt, the
ability of Canadians from all backgrounds to successfully, peacefully and prosperously
co-exist within the same borders truly makes Canada a model for the rest of the
world," added Padre Gorniak.
ROYAL MILITARY COLLEGE OF CANADA
PO Box 17000, Station Forces * Kingston, Ontario * K7K 7B4
Capt. Bernard Dionne
RMC Public Affairs Officer
(613) 541-6000 Ext. 6484
Return to Religious Diversity in Kingston