Roman Catholic Bishopric Of The Forces
"Defende nos in Proelio"
Principal Chaplains
Royal Navy - Father Robert Matau RN
Father Robert Matau Royal Navy was born and raised in Romania. He completed his BA of Theology at the UNI Babes-Bolyai in Cluj Napoca. In 1991 he was ordained as priest and alternated serving in different parishes in the Roman-Catholic Diocese of Iaşi as a parish priest and studying abroad.
In 2006, the Cardinal, Archbishop of Westminster, requested that Father Robert be sent to work within his Archdiocese. From then onwards Father Robert spent nine years working in North-West London as priest while also fulfilling the role of Dean of Ethnic Chaplains. He was also elected and appointed a member in the Council of Deans and Council of Priests in Westminster Diocese.
Father Robert joined the Royal Navy in 2015. His first assignment was at HMS Collingwood, in Hampshire, and prior to joining HMS Raleigh he was one of the Chaplains working with the Devonport Flotilla in Plymouth. During his time there, Father Robert joined HMS Portland for 2016/17 (ATP South-Atlantic) deployment and spent time with the other ships of the Flotilla.
After 3 years at HMS Raleigh, in September 2020, he joined Surflot East serving onboard HMS DIAMOND preparing for deployment; HMS MONTROSE for OP KIPION (Middle East); re-joined HMS DIAMOND for the entire CSG 21/ Op Fortis (Far East) deployment; HMS DEFENDER for OP Cold Response and OP Song Wright (Artic Circle) at the beginning of 2022; and UKMCC (Bahrain) for 6 months in 2022 before joining Britannia Royal Naval College in February 2023 as the Chaplaincy Team Leader.
On 1 September 2024 Fr Robert was appointed Principal Roman-Catholic Chaplain for the Royal Navy by Right Reverend Paul Mason, Roman-Catholic Bishop of the Forces. He has since moved to HMS Sultan in Gosport, Hampshire, as a member of the establishment chaplaincy team.
As well as being a theologian at heart he is also a sport enthusiast; his others interest include reading, spirituality, history, museums, good movies, travelling and discovering new cultures.
"Friend and Advisor To All Onboard"
Army -Revd Fr Stephen Sharkey CF
Principal Roman Catholic Chaplain
Father Stephen was born in Glasgow. He has twin sisters who have between them 10 children. After working as a Telecommunications Engineer for eight years predominantly with GEC, he entered the National Seminary for Scotland, Scotus College in 1993 where he studied for a Diploma in Philosophy (DipPh) and a Bachelor of Divinity (BD) in preparation for Ordination as a Roman Catholic Priest for the Diocese of Galloway on 25th June 1999.
Father Stephen was assistant Priest in Dumfries before becoming Parish Priest of the Parishes of Lockerbie and Moffat. He was a Scottish Prison Service Chaplain serving in both mainstream prisons and a Young Offenders Institute, he was also a Co-Ordinating Hospital Chaplain. Laterally he was Parish Priest in Beith and Dalry, North Ayrshire.
Father Stephen started his military involvement as a Territorial Army Soldier from 1986 till 1991 and became a Chaplain to West Lowland Army Cadet Force where he served for seven years. Stephen joined the Royal Army Chaplains Department as a Regular Chaplain on 15th September 2008. He has been Chaplain at Churchill Lines based in St Athan in Wales and more recently Chaplain at Hereford. He is currently Senior Chaplain at 8 Engineer Brigade.
He was previously Senior Chaplain Army Training Centre Pirbright, the largest Phase One training establishment in the British Army (Basic Training Center). Assistant Chaplain in the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, Chaplain to 3rd Battalion, Royal Horse Artillery and 2 Medical Regiment based in Hohne, Germany where he deployed on Op Herrick 19 with 7th Armoured Brigade from September 2013 through until April 2014. Previous to his appointment in British Forces Germany he was Chaplain to 2nd Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment in Cyprus, Episkopi Garrison Chaplain and the only Roman Catholic Chaplain in British Forces Cyprus. He also served in Cyprus with 2nd Battalion the Duke of Lancaster Regiment and with 4 Rifles based in Bulford, Wiltshire returning from Afghanistan on 2nd October 2009 after a four month tour on Op Herrick 10 where he was in Nad Ali, Helmand Provence with 4 Rifles as part of the Election Surge Force.
Father Stephen's hobbies include cycling, he has cycled from Glasgow to Santiago De Compostela and Glasgow to Warsaw for various charities and from his base in Newcastle as his Regiment rebased from Germany to UK. Father Stephen has also moved from a pedal cycle to owning a motorcycle, passing his test in Cyprus. He enjoys skiing and trying to keep fit.
"In this Sign Conquer"
Royal Air Force - Deacon David Skillen
Born in 1975 Padre Dave Skillen grew up in west Cumbria. He attended University College, Bretton Hall (West Yorks), graduating in 1996 with a BA (hons) in Popular Music Studies (Leeds). Returning to Cumbria Padre Skillen joined Cumbria Constabulary as a Constable and on exiting the service, after almost five years, he entered the world of Catholic Education where he remained until joining the RAF in 2014.
As a police officer Padre Skillen undertook duties as a Tutor Constable, in community and rural policing, and in public order. Sensing a religious vocation, he left the police in 2002 and trained as a secondary school RE teacher. In his teaching career he taught RE and Music. In 2006 Padre Skillen moved from a teaching role to a Chaplaincy role. He also began training for ministry within the RC Diocese of Lancaster, and was ordained Deacon in July 2010. He served the parish of St Begh (Whitehaven) and in 2011 obtained his Master’s degree in Catholic Pastoral & Educational Studies from The Maryvale Institute, Birmingham (OU).
Ready for a fresh challenge Padre Skillen joined the RAF Chaplains’ Branch in April 2014. Upon graduation from RAF College Cranwell he was posted to RAF Brize Norton as Station Chaplain. During his first tour Padre Skillen was awarded the CO’s Commendation for his work during Op Tailpin (repatriation of 30 British Civilians shot on a beach in Tunisia in 2015). He also completed a four month detachment to BFSAI as Force Chaplain at the end of which he received the CBF’s Commendation for outstanding service. In July 2016 he was posted to RAF Halton as Station Chaplain, and in January 2019 he was deployed on Op SHADER. On 1 July 2019 was posted to RAF Odiham as Station Chaplain and on 11 July 2019 he was appointed by The Bishop of the Forces as the Principal Roman Catholic Chaplain for the RAF.
Beyond work, Padre Skillen spends time with friends and family. He is married to Nichola and they have three boys: The family home is always full of visitors! He enjoys sport, especially running, rugby, cycling and snooker. To remain sane, Padre Skillen listens to, plays and writes most types of music.