What are Military Chaplains?

Diocesan or Religious Priests who are “on loan” to the Military Ordinariate of Great Britain. With its own bishop, the Ordinariate provides Catholic Chaplains to the Royal Navy, the Army and the Royal Air Force. With their Bishop or Religious Superior’s permission, chaplains serve for a minimum of 3 years with the possibility of serving until the age of 60yrs. After this, they are expected to return to their Diocese or Congregation.

Father O’Keeffe speaks to the troops before
going into battle (Iraq War, 2003)

Being a Military Chaplain is a vocation to a specialist ministry. All the pastoral skills learnt in the Parish are needed to minister to Service Personnel. The Military Ordinariate asks for at least 3 years of post-ordination parish experience prior to becoming a Military Chaplain.

What is the Training/Formation?
You’ll need to undergo about 1 month of basic military training before being appointed to a Regiment/Ship/Base as the Chaplain/Padre. The military training is demanding both physically and spiritually – but it’s not all running about and being screamed at! Basic training will give you an insight into what your flock will be expected to put up with in the military. It will also enable you to get very close to your people in ways unimagined in parish ministry.

What does the Military Chaplain do?
As a Unit Chaplain (ie. based on board a ship, within a Regiment or on a Base), you will be working not only with Catholics, but also with non-Catholics, non-Christians and people of no faith. It is a unique opportunity to recommend the Catholic Church to others – not only with words, but by example. The Military Chaplain is often the 1st encounter that many young people have with a Christian Priest. There is huge scope for good and for the awakening of faith. The Military Chaplain is often uniquely placed gently to shepherd young people to faith or to a return to the practice of their faith.

The Military Chaplain is also an ambassador for the Catholic Church in ecumenical matters. He works very closely with ministers of other Ecclesial Communities, doing what we can together while always respecting proper boundaries. It is not unusual for the Catholic Unit Chaplain to be the only chaplain – and there’s an expectation that he will do his best to care for the souls in his Unit, regardless of religious affiliation, or none.

In an Operational Environment – for instance when the Armed Forces deploy abroad (eg. Iraq or Afghanistan) – the Military Chaplain goes too. Although he never carries a weapon, the Chaplain ministers to, and supports those who do. This is a huge privilege and opportunity to be Christ to those who are expected to put themselves in harm’s way for the sake of their country. Celebrating Holy Mass, hearing confessions, anointing the sick and dying or just being a listening ear to the troubled is all part of the chaplain’s role on Operations.

It falls to the Military Chaplain to be among his people as Christ was. He is a voice of compassion, humanity and moral conscience in the dark days of conflict and war.

What do you need for this ministry?
It takes a priest with special pastoral gifts to be a Military Chaplain. Above all, you need to be secure in your faith and priesthood. You will need to be resourceful and be able to work with few of the supports that Parish Ministry takes for granted. Military Chaplains plough a lonely furrow: most of your “flock” may well be either unbaptised or not particularly interested in the Christian Faith. The Catholics are often poorly catechised or not practicing their religion. And yet, it is to these young people that the Military Chaplain ministers, as Christ did. It does sometimes feels like being on the missions!

The Armed Forces put special emphasis on the contribution of the Military Chaplain in teaching moral Values and Standards of behaviour. As a Military Chaplain you will be involved in teaching Moral Awareness to the soldiers, sailors and airmen and women in your Unit. The Armed Forces are absolutely clear that all its personnel should understand and abide by the highest standards of behaviour both at home and abroad. The Military Chaplain has a key role in delivering this objective.

Want to find out more?
All 3 services can arrange opportunities for any priest or seminarian who wants to know a bit more about Military Chaplaincy to meet a serving chaplain and see what he does. If you want more information, please contact:

Royal Navy: Rev Father David Conroy RN, email to follow
Army: Rev Father David Smith RAChD, frdgss@talktalk.net
Royal Air Force: Rev Father Chris Marsden RAF, chrismarsden@mac.com

There is also an Ecumenical Website for the Army, containing basic information about Army Chaplaincy http://www.army.mod.uk/chaps/index.htm

Please note that chaplains to the armed forces are already Diocesan Priests, there is no direct application or formation. Initial enquiries should be made to your Diocesan Vocations Director.