Manitoba Multifaith Council is an association of faith communities, representatives of faith communities, and individuals from various faith traditions throughout Manitoba

History of the Manitoba Multifaith Council

• Manitoba Multifaith Council (MMC) has its origins in the late 1950s and was previously called the Manitoba Interfaith Council (MIC). The founders were Rev. Monsignor Norman Chartrand (RC), Rev. Dr. Fred Douglas (UCC) and Rev. (later Bishop) Ted Scott (Ang). The initial motive was to ensure appropriate spiritual care was given to inmates in provincial correctional facilities. Throughout its history its basic purpose was been to provide a vehicle for the various faith communities to speak with one voice to the provincial government. The Constitution was eventually developed and has been amended from time to time.

• In the early 1960’s, MIC’s focus expanded to include appropriate spiritual care at the Winnipeg General Hospital (now the Health Sciences Centre). The Rev. James McKay, who was the first appointee, had received specialty training in spiritual care in Minneapolis.

• In September 1972 MIC, in partnership with the Faculty of Theology at the University of Winnipeg, sponsored the Interfaith Pastoral Institute to provide service and training in pastoral care and counselling. MIC appointed representatives to the Institute’s Board of Directors.  This Institute is now called the Aurora Family Therapy Centre and continues to provide service and training in conjunction with the Faculty of Theology.

• In the mid 1970’s, MIC appointed a sub-committee to provide support and guidance in spiritual care to Manitoba Corrections. Eventually a joint Committee between MIC and Manitoba Corrections was established. Later the Rev. Don Day, the chaplain at Headingly Correctional Institution was asked to take on the additional responsibility of coordinating the staff chaplains throughout the provincial correctional system. It was about this time that this sub-committee prepared a manual for chaplaincy. After Don’s death in 1981, the sub-committee recommended that Fr. Bernie Pinet, chaplain at the Manitoba Youth Centre be appointed Coordinator with the understanding that he would spend half his time in each position.

• MMC remained active in monitoring spiritual care in the health institutions and making recommendations to the various health care facilities. With the reorganization and regionalization of health care in Manitoba, it became evident to some members of MMC that spiritual care would benefit from having a Provincial Coordinator of Spiritual Health. A research committee was appointed and a professional research was contracted. The report was completed and submitted to the government in 1983. The MMC sub-committee on Spiritual Care in Manitoba Health institutions persuaded the government to provide a position.  A contract position was put in place in 1998.

• MMC has thus developed from a small nucleus of Christian ecumenical efforts to embrace a more thorough multi-faith expression in the province. It has also moved beyond its initial concerns for Corrections and Health to consider its educational role. The Council therefore invites interested faith expressions to join it in fostering compassionate spiritual care and justice for the good of the province.