In his new job as head chaplain in the military, Brig.-Gen. John Fletcher will be overseeing the religious needs of Canada’s troops, shoring up what the Defence Department calls its chaplaincy’s “inclusive, welcoming culture.”

As an openly gay member of the military and Anglican priest for more than two decades, it’s an environment Fletcher has benefitted from firsthand.

His recent appointment is in sharp contrast to past military policy, which allowed discrimination against gays and lesbians. Fletcher said he came out not long after a landmark court decision struck down the rule in 1992, alleviating his fears about what could happen to his career if he did come out.

Fletcher acknowledges that some may find it odd, or even scandalous, that he is a career military man, a priest and homosexual.

“I equally understand that some people will be excited and encouraged by the openness of my own church, to allow me to exercise this ministry and certainly encouraged that I’m free to work within a Canadian military that simply doesn’t discriminate on (the basis of) these things,” he said.

Currently, the military doesn’t have a specific policy regarding gay or lesbian personnel, said Capt. Matt Zalot, chief of military personnel public affairs, in an email.

“Furthermore, the (Canadian Armed Forces) CAF does not keep track of or inquire about the sexual orientation of our members, so I really couldn’t say if Padre Fletcher is the highest-ranking, openly-gay CAF member, Chaplain General or otherwise.”

Fletcher, 51, said as far as he knows, he is the first openly gay man to hold his new position.

As a child growing up in St. Stephen, N.B., he aspired to become a minister. In high school, cognizant of the “uncool” factor of his chosen profession and bolstered by a love of math and science, he decided to become a pilot instead.

He enrolled at the Royal Military College right out of high school, enticed by the promise of subsidized education and job training. Midway through, his first love beckoned, and he switched his focus from piloting planes to leading sermons.

His military career has now spanned 33 years. He came out 20 years ago. At the time he was taking a second-language course in Halifax — away from the pressures of work, and closer to his family so he wouldn’t have to tell them by phone. From the start, they responded with love and support, he said.

Fletcher explained that each military mission comes with a unique set of challenges that he and the other chaplains must help people through, from apprehension over inherent dangers, to being separated from a family member.

“Certainly, the casualties from Canada’s service in Afghanistan have been particularly hard for our community, for the families of our fallen,” he said. “No one provides care and support in that kind of context without feeling the emotion and the pain that is being borne by the community.”

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Fletcher, who has been with his partner for 16 years, pointed out that 50 years ago there were no public, homosexual role models. Now, the Ottawa-based priest lives in a province where the sitting premier, Kathleen Wynne, is also Canada’s first openly gay premier.

“I see (my situation) as just another example of that same sort of trend that we as Canadians should celebrate and embrace,” he said, adding that we should “continue to look at the barriers that might be elsewhere that are keeping people from pursuing vocations they are qualified, or feeling called to go and do.”