Ministers of religion, including priests and Religious brothers, are now required to serve in the Swiss military, with the Swiss army stating that their work was no longer an “essential activity for the maintenance of social life”.

Churches were reportedly not informed during the drafting of the law, with the Bishops’ Conference of Switzerland objecting to the lack of consultation.

Though Switzerland has maintained a policy of neutrality since the Congress of Vienna in 1815, the move will disrupt religious communities that accept men who have not completed the service.

The Swiss army justified the move by arguing that, as the Swiss law requires the service of all able-bodied men between the ages of 18 and 30, many priests, fulfil their obligation before ordination. However, Swiss broadcaster RTS reported that nine people have already been affected by the new law, including Religious brothers living in community.

Alain de Raemy, head of military affairs at the Swiss Bishops’ Conference and auxiliary bishop of Lugano, told RTS the decision demonstrates “a lack of respect for the population”.

“As we saw during Covid, or during the Crans-Montana disaster, there was a need for people available on a spiritual level as well. So how will we manage in times of war and future crises, if priests must serve in the army? What is the Federal Council’s plan?” he said.

RTS reported that the Federal Department of Defence said the Churches in Switzerland were not contacted because of the small number of military personnel involved.

“The increasing secularisation of society means that fewer and fewer people feel connected to the Church’s offerings,” it stated.

“The process of revising the law on the armed forces was carried out in accordance with the directives of the Federal Chancellery.”