Roman Catholic Bishopric Of The Forces
"Defende nos in Proelio"
Army
Introduction
Welcome to the Army section of the Forces’ Bishopric web-site. As current Principal Roman Catholic Chaplain to the Army it is my pleasure to invite you to explore the contribution of serving Catholic personnel who enrich the life of the Army by their faithful presence, and to learn more about the ministry of Catholic clergy who minister across the Army community within units, brigades, divisions, and garrisons. Army chaplains support service personnel of all ranks together with their families, alongside the extensive network of civilian support staff who work across defence. The fundamental basis of ministry to the Army has not changed in centuries despite technological advances. It is rooted in the Gospel precepts which were so well summarised by the famed World War 1 chaplain, the Reverend Geoffrey Studdert-Kennedy MC, who pointed out that personnel will forgive anything in a chaplain but lack of courage and devotion, and so urged them to approach soldiers with love in their hearts, and while living alongside them, “Laugh with them. Joke with them. You can pray with them sometimes, but pray for them always.”
Chaplains are fortunate to carry the baton of faith and service passed to them by generations of such illustrious predecessors for over 200 years, and so minister to those in adversity and danger in our present challenging times. The profile of Catholic personnel in the Army is widespread and respected, and opportunities to gather and celebrate our faith together feature throughout the year – most notably at the annual International Military Pilgrimage to Lourdes every May. I hope that what you learn here of our Army life and faith will interest and inspire you. Please pray for our chaplains and for our service personnel. Our wonderful, gifted, and diverse community welcomes your interest, but especially your prayers. Thank you.
Principal Roman Catholic Chaplain (Army) and Assistant Chaplain General to HM’s Land Forces.
Click here to find out about becoming a Catholic Chaplain in the Armed Forces.
Chaplains
ARMY CHAPLAINS
Principal Roman Catholic Chaplain (Army) Rev Ian Stevenson VE CF (RC)
Senior Chaplain Scotland HQ 51Brigade Redford Cavalry Barracks, Colinton Road EDINBURGH EH13 0PP Email: Ian.stevenson947@mod.gov.uk
REGULAR COMMISSIONS
Chaplains 2nd Class:
Rev Ian J Stevenson (Paisley) 03 Sep 01
Rev Mgr Canon Robert Corrigan (Clifton) 15 Sep 08
Chaplains 3rd Class:
Rev Stephen Sharkey (Galloway) 15 Sep 08
Rev Paul McCourt (Hexham and Newcastle) Sept 14
Rev Mgr John F Nelson (Portsmouth) Sept 18
Rev Phillip Smith (Southwark) Sept 15
Chaplains 4th Class:
Rev PJ O’Driscoll (Cloyne) Sept 17
Rev Kevin Dow (Edinburgh)
Rev John Moriarty (Lancaster)
Rev John Power (Liverpool)
Rev David Burke (Westminster)
RESERVE CHAPLAINS Rev Duane Reilly (Leeds)
Army Cadet Force:
Rev Dr Gerard Fieldhouse Byrne (Salford)
Rev David A Gamble (Liverpool)
Rev Francis J Lynch (Wrexham)
Pastoral Administrative Assistant
Mrs Karen Horn MBE Email: Armyrcpaa21@gmail.com
ESTABLISHMENTS ALDERSHOT
Vicar General The Revd Nicholas Gosnell SRN BTh(Hons) MA(Ed) MA(CL)
St Michael’s House Queen’s Avenue Aldershot
GU11 2BY Tel: 01252 315042 Email: Stmichael.stgeorge@live.co.uk
Cathedral of St Michael & St George, Queens Avenue, Aldershot GU11 2BY
Mass: Sunday at 11:00 Wednesday at 1200
Rev Mgr Robert Corrigan CF (RC) DACG HQ 11 Inf Bde & SE Roebuck House Cravans Road Aldershot GU11 2LQ Email: Robert.corrigan566@mod.gov.uk
Rev Fr Pip Smith CF (RC) Chaplain 1st Battalion Irish Guards Mons Barracks Aldershot GU11 2LF Email: Phillip.smith168@mod.gov.uk BULFORD, Wilts Church: Our Lady Queen of Peace, Kandy Road Bulford Camp, SP4 9AA Mass: Sunday 10:30
CATTERICK
Rev John Power CF (RC) Chaplain The Royal Lancers Cambrai Barracks AVA Road Catterick Garrison DL9 3PZ Email: John.power114@mod.gov.uk Mass: Sunday at 1030 – St Joan of Arc, Hipswell Road, Catterick Garrison DL9 3BP EDINBURGH
Rev Ian Stevenson CF (RC) Senior Chaplain Scotland HQ 51Brigade Redford Cavalry Barracks, Colinton Road EDINBURGH EH13 0PP Email: Ian.stevenson947@mod.gov.uk
EPISKOPI – CYPRUS
Rev Mgr John Nelson CF (RC) Chaplain 2 Yorks Salamanca Barracks Episkopi Garrison Episkopi BFPO 53 Email: john.nelson856@mod.gov.uk Sunday Mass: Episkopi 0900hrs St Pius X Church Akrotiri 1030hrs Christ the King Church Dhekalia 1700hrs St Barnabas Church (1st & 3rd Sunday of the month)
HARROGATE OCM
Rev Stephen Webb St. Joseph’s Presbytery 281 Skipton Road Harrogate HG1 3HD Email: stephen.webb@dioceseofleeds.org.uk LARKHILL Rev Father John A Moriarty CF (RC) Chaplain 1st Regiment Royal Horse Artillery Purvis Lines Larkhill Wiltshire SP4 8QT John.Moriarty101@mod.gov.uk
LECONFIELD
Rev Paul McCourt CF (RC) Chaplain Defence School of Transport & 25 Regt RL Normandy Barracks Leconfield HU17 7LX Email: Paul.mccourt882@mod.gov.uk LIVERPOOL – Altcar Army Training Unit North West OCM Rev David Gamble Altcar Training Camp Hightown Liverpool L38 7JE Tel: 07711 637713 Email: d.gamble@rcaolp.co.uk
LONDON DISTRICT OCM:
The Revd Nicholas Gosnell VG St Michael’s House Queen’s Avenue Aldershot GU11 2BY Tel: 01252 315042 Mob: 07775 237099 Email: Stmichael.stgeorge@live.co.uk MARKET DRAYTON 1 Royal Irish OCM Rev Canon Jonathan Mitchell Tudor House 2 Fish Street Shrewsbury SY1 1UB Tel: 07590196795 Email: frjonmitchell@cantab.net
NUNEATON
Rev Kevin Dow CF (RC) Chaplain 30 Royal Sig Regt Gamecock Barracks Bazzard Road Bramcote Nuneaton CV11 6QN Email: Kevin.dow101@mod.gov.uk PERHAM DOWN Rev David Burke CF (RC) Chaplain 15 Signals Regt
Swinton Barracks
Perham Down Andover SP11 9LQ Email: David.burke109@mod.gov.uk PIRBRIGHT Served from Sandhurst
PLYMOUTH
Rev P J O’Driscoll CF (RC) Chaplain 29 Commando Regt RA The Royal Citadel Plymouth PL1 2PD Email: Patrick.Odriscoll100@mod.gov.uk
SANDHURST
C/o Chaplaincy Office The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst Camberley Surrey GU15 4PQ
SHRIVENHAM DEFENCE ACADEMY
Sunday Mass at 09:30, Church of St Alban
THORNEY ISLAND 12 Regt and 16 Regt RA OCM:
Rev John Humphreys TD 96 Horndean Road Emsworth Hants PO10 7TU Civ: 01243 430158 Email: fatherjohn01@gmail.com
TIDWORTH
Sunday Mass 9:00 St Patrick & St George, St Michael’s Avenue, Tidworth SP9 7BS
RESERVE CHAPLAIN 212 (Yorkshire)
Fd Hosp (V) Rev Duane Reilly A Squadron Queen’s Own Yeomanry Fulford Barracks Fulford Road York YO10 4ES Email: reillyduane@yahoo.co.uk
CADET ASSOCIATIONS ACF GREATER MANCHESTER
Rev Gerard Fieldhouse Byrne Senior Chaplain Greater Manchester ACF The Colonel Mary Creagh County HQ Spenleach Lane Hawkshaw Bury BL8 4JJ Email: gerardbyrne@aol.com
ACF MERSEYSIDE
Rev David A Gamble St George’s ACF Centre Altcar Rifle Range Hightown Merseyside L38 7JD Email: d.gamble@rcaolp.co.uk
AFC GREATER LONDON SOUTH WEST SECTOR
Rev Francis J Lynch Greater London South West Sector ACF 27 St John’s Hill London SW11 1TT Email: fjlynch55@hotmail.co.uk