Church Endorses First Female Chaplain in Canada

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has endorsed its first female chaplain in Canada. In August 2025, Becky Mantynen was called as a service missionary at Grand Valley Institution for Women in Kitchener, Ontario, a women's prison operated by the Correctional Service of Canada, where she serves alongside chaplains of other faiths.

Mantynen is one of four Latter-day Saint chaplains serving across Canada, reported the Church's Canada Newsroom on March 17. This historic appointment represents a significant milestone for the Church in Canada, demonstrating its commitment to serving diverse communities and expanding opportunities for women in ministry roles.

As a chaplain, Mantynen provides spiritual support and guidance to incarcerated women, offering them hope and connection during challenging times. Her work involves counseling, leading religious services, and helping inmates navigate their faith journeys while serving their sentences.

The appointment reflects broader trends in religious institutions toward greater inclusion of women in leadership and ministry positions. Mantynen's role as a service missionary allows her to dedicate her time to this important work while representing her faith community in a professional capacity.

Her service at Grand Valley Institution for Women demonstrates the Church's commitment to reaching out to marginalized and underserved populations, providing spiritual care to those who may need it most. The prison chaplaincy program allows inmates to maintain their religious practices and receive spiritual support regardless of their circumstances.