Lesotho Defence Force

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

The Chaplains Services provide specialist religious support to members of Lesotho Defence Force (LDF). This service ensures that all LDF members, near and far alike, are cared for spiritually, morally and socially by exercising a ministry that provides spiritual growth and sustains high morality and ethical credibility. The Chaplains Services can and may extend to national or state level servitude with strict adherence to military ethics and confines of the governing laws of the land.

LDF is a functional member of SADC Spiritual and Moral Support Services Work Group. Chaplaincy Services within the LDF have been conducted by individual soldiers and at times by invited civilian priests since late 1980s. In 2013 the Chaplaincy Policy was drawn to effect the official establishment of the LDF Chaplaincy and a Chief Chaplain was inaugurated.

The process of formulating the LDF Chaplaincy Policy evolved through consultation with The Office of Chaplain General South African National Defence Forces (SANDF) with reference from the Constitution of Lesotho and the Lesotho Defense Force Act of 1996. The LDF Chaplaincy policy states that chaplaincy is the sole custodian of the religious or spiritual support in the LDF, and therefore an integral part of all LDF units. It also ensures that practice of religion within LDF is fair, equitable, free and supportive of all individuals regardless of race, gender and disability.

MISSION:

To offer spiritual and moral support services to all LDF members and their dependents including civilian staff in peace and war times, in order to enhance their individual and family wellbeing as the military personnel and to promote ethical conduct within the military.

RELIGIOUS GUIDELINES:

Chaplains have non –combatant status accorded to them by the Geneva conventions. This implies that chaplain should be specially protected and respected in times of armed conflict, in which Geneva conventions and additional protocols apply as long as they refrain from taking part in hostilities.

TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT

Training of Chaplains will be acquired from both national and international institutions. Long course include Theology, Pastoral Care and Counselling and other related courses. Short courses are also required to empower Chaplains which cover roles their roles in various places/ areas; in the unit, on deployment, during peacetime and in war etc.

RELATIONSHIP WITH OTHER SECTORS

The LDF Chaplaincy established active relationship with other security services by offering support to Lesotho Correctional Service (LCS) and Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS) in establishing Chaplain Services within their organizations. LDF Chaplaincy has good relations with various churches where Chaplains are members as well as The Christian Council of Lesotho (CCL).