RC Bishopric Of The Forces

Our Mission
To provide the very best operational, spiritual and pastoral support, primarily for Catholic servicemen and women (and their families) and chaplains, wherever, whenever and in whatever form it is needed. Additionally, to respond to the needs of anyone of any creed or none, who turns to a Catholic chaplain for support.

Bishop's Welcome

Welcome to the website of the Roman Catholic Bishopric of Her Majesty's Armed Forces. We are a Roman Catholic diocese whose boundaries are not geographical but take us wherever the British Military are serving. As you may imagine, that makes us a particularly large diocese.

Providing pastoral ministry to our Armed Forces is essential. It is a concrete example of the Church’s outreach in bearing witness to Christ which we endeavour to achieve in a military environment. Pope Francis tells us the Church should be like a Field Hospital. Well, in our case that can, of course, be taken literally. Our chaplains are to be found in the most challenging of times and places bringing prayer, sacraments, friendship and fellowship to those they serve.

As you browse the pages of this website you will discover much about life in the Bishopric and its work in the Royal Navy, the Army and the Royal Air Force. You will meet our chaplains and gain some insight into life as a Catholic in the military. You can read about our pilgrimages, retreats, associations and groups, and perhaps find something you would like to join.

Bishop Paul Mason

As Bishop of the Forces I witness on a daily basis the faith and selfless commitment of so many dedicated servicemen and women, whether at work on their home unit in the UK or while serving overseas. The personal sacrifices they make along with the selfless support of their loved ones means we can all be safe. Just as Christ came “not to be served but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many” so our military can offer a powerful example of selfless service.

If you are seeking opportunities to live out your Catholic faith with others in the Forces community, I hope these pages will help you navigate the many and varied activities we provide. Even if you are a not a Catholic yourself our chaplains are there to be alongside and support you. If you are a deacon or priest interested in becoming a military Chaplain, or perhaps you are interested in becoming a Catholic, I warmly invite you to get in touch with any of the contacts you discover as you browse the various pages.

With every prayer & blessing,

+Paul

Fr Paul McCourt is a priest of the Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle who has spent a quarter of a century serving as an army chaplain. In this reflection for Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day, he talks about our remembrance observance as “an annual salute to that innate human instinct to protect peace and all who live by it, to protect life in all of its ages against threat, and to live by principles so hard won in times past.”

LISTEN TO FR PAUL MCCOURT

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Fr Stephen Sharkey

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The Role of an Army Padre

Padres have a unique role in the British Army. Padres of all faiths have rank but do not command and although they can deploy on operations, padres are non-combatants and are unarmed. My guest on the podcast is Father Stephen Sharkey, who has been a padre since 2008. Prior to becoming a priest he served as a territorial soldier for five years. Padres accompany British troops - including the special forces - wherever they are based. During his career, Stephen has served on numerous military operations around the world, including two tours in Afghanistan one of which was with the Rifles in 2009. During the podcast Stephen recalls giving services in the field in Afghanistan while wearing body armour and helmet, how he coped when soldiers were killed and wounded in battle and why the role of the padre is crucial to morale.
By The Security Podcast

Remembrance Sunday – Westminster Cathedral

The annual Solemn Requiem Mass for the Fallen took place in Westminster Cathedral on Remembrance Sunday, 9th November, with His Eminence Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster, as the Principal Celebrant, and Fr Robert Matau Royal Navy, a Concelebrant, who gave the homily. There was a good representation of uniformed personnel from all three Services with the Royal Navy this year providing the readers and personnel for the offertory procession and a trumpeter from the Scots Guards playing the Last Post and Reveille.