Royal Navy
Introduction
Welcome to the Royal Navy section of the Bishopric website where hopefully you will get a flavour of what life is like for our serving Catholic laity and clergy. The Royal Navy is distinct in the way that its chaplains minister to its people, devoid as we are of structured rank. Instead we use the convention that the rank of chaplain ‘floats’ to match the rank of whoever the chaplain is talking to, thus ensuring that the conversation happens between equals. It’s a convention that the Senior Service has used for centuries and it has served us well, allowing Sailors and Royal Marines to use the familiar term ‘Bish’ when addressing their chaplain.
The Gospels are awash with events that happen on, or close to, the sea. As catholic priests, serving in this challenging but hugely rewarding environment, we seek to make the Gospel of Christ real to our men and women so that they are supported morally, spiritually and emotionally as they serve our great maritime nation. And our catholic serving personnel respond with great enthusiasm and faith.
For our chaplains this is a specialist ministry. Our naval ‘parish’ is diverse, young and enthusiastic. As well as serving their country our people also face the challenges of everyday life. We are here to be with them on that journey, to celebrate the sacraments with them, to pray with them and to encourage them in their faith. It would give us great comfort to know that you, whoever you are and wherever you may be, are praying for us too, perhaps using the final verse of the naval hymn:
O Trinity of love and power!
Our brethren’s shield in danger’s hour;
From rock and tempest, fire and foe,
Protect them wheresoe’er they go;
Thus evermore shall rise to Thee
Glad hymns of praise from land and sea.
Finally, if you would like to know more about catholic life in the Royal Navy please feel free to get in touch either with me directly or via our Pastoral Assistant Ian Crabtree. Ian.crabtree277@mod.gov.uk
Ian also looks after sacramental preparation, religious and social events. If you would like to be added to our database and receive updates about IMP Lourdes, HCPT etc please let him know.
Father David Conroy QCVS QHC VE RN,
Principal Roman Catholic Chaplain (Naval)
Click here to find out about becoming a Catholic Chaplain in the Armed Forces.
Admiral Tim, speaking after the Passing Out Parade, said “I was delighted to welcome Father Tom into the Royal Navy at his Passing Out. Having known Fr Tom as our assistant parish priest for the last 3 years it is very exciting that he has chosen the RN for the next phase of his vocation.”
Chaplains
Principal Roman Catholic Chaplain
Rev. David Conroy QHC QCVS RN (Galloway) 24 Sept 2000
Chaplains
Rev. David Conroy QHC QCVS RN (Galloway) 24 Sept 2000
Rev. Robert Matau (Westminster) May 2015
Rev. Victor Dawkan (c/o Nottingham) Jan 2020
Rev. Thomas Bakalumpagi (Southwark) 2020
Full-Time Reserve Service (FTRS)
Rev. Daniel F Hernandez (Gibraltar)
Officiating Chaplains
Rev Mgr Bartholomew Nannery
Rev Jean-Patrice Coulon
Rev David Gamble
Rev Philip Carroll
Rev Michael Maloney
Rev Michael Carrie
Rev Deacon Philip Waites
Rev John Humphrys
Pastoral Assistant
Cdr Ian Crabtree (Rtd)
ESTABLISHMENTS IN PORTSMOUTH & PASTORAL AREA EAST
HMS Nelson, HM Naval Base
Royal Navy RC Pastoral Assistant
Cdr Ian Crabtree BSc MCIPD RN (rtd)
The Chaplaincy,
PDC (RC), NW Admiralty House, PP13,
HM Naval Base Portsmouth,
PO1 3LR
T: 023 9272 4232.
E:
HMS Sultan, Gosport
Rev. David Conroy QHC QCVS RN
The Chaplaincy,
HMS Sultan,
Military Road Gosport
PO12 3BY
T: 02392 542686
E:
ESTABLISHMENTS IN DEVONPORT & PASTORAL AREA WEST
HMS Raleigh
Rev. Robert Matau RN
The Chaplaincy,
HMS Raleigh,
Torpoint,
Cornwall
PL11 2PD
T: 01752 811225
E:
HMNB Devonport and DEVFLOT
Officiating Chaplain
Rev Mgr Bartholomew Nannery
T: 01752 555931
Britannia Royal Naval College
Under the care of the Principal Roman Catholic Chaplain, RN
The Chaplaincy,
BRNC,
College Way,
Dartmouth,
Devon,
TQ6 0HJ T: 01803 677021
HMS Heron
RN Air Station, Yeovilton
Officiating Chaplain:
Rev. Jean-Patrice Coulon
(Served from The Holy Ghost Church, The Avenue, Yeovil, Somerset BA21 4AR)
E:
Commando Logistics Regiment Royal Marines,
Chivenor
Officiating Chaplain:
Rev. Philip Waites
E:
ESTABLISHMENTS IN THE NORTH WEST
HMS Eaglet
Officiating Chaplain: Rev David Gamble
The Chaplaincy,
HMS Eaglet,
RNHQ Merseyside,
East Brunswick Dock,
Liverpool L3 4DZ
E:
JOINT SERVICE
HQBF Gibraltar
Rev. Danny Hernandez RN
Command Chaplain The King’s Chapel,
Main Street
BFPO 52
T: 00350 2005 5414
E:
ESTABLISHMENTS IN SCOTLAND
HMS Neptune,
HM Naval Base Clyde
Officiating Chaplain:
Rev Michael Maloney
T: 01436 674321 Ext 8266
45 Commando Royal Marines Officiating Chaplain
Rev. Michael Carrie
E: