Roman Catholic Bishopric Of The Forces
"Defende nos in Proelio"
Royal Navy
Introduction
Principal Roman Catholic Chaplain and Vicar Episcopal for the Royal Navy
Deputy Chaplain of the Fleet
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 TheeGlad 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.
Click here to find out about becoming a Catholic Chaplain in the Armed Forces.
Naval Catholic Community News
Naval Catholic Community News
For the latest News see the News page
Future Events
Tuesday 5th April at 1200 - Bishopric Chrism Mass in Cathedral of St Michael and St George, Aldershot
Sunday 10th July at 1000 - Annual Naval Mass in Portsmouth Cathedral
Sunday 17th July at 1000 - Annual Naval Mass in Plymouth Cathedral
Friday 11th - Sunday 13th November - Remembrance weekend in London
Sunday 13th November at 1000 - Solemn Requiem Mass for the Fallen in Westminster Cathedral
Pilgrimages
Regrettably, the Easter HCPT Childrens Pilgrimage to Lourdes for 2022 has been cancelled owing to the pandemic
International Military Pilgrimage to Lourdes 12th - 16th May 2022
Sacraments
BAPTISMS
Welcome to our Catholic Community
Caleb James Hume and Agnes Jese Masirewa
both baptised on 30 October 2021 in St Ann's Church, HM Naval Base, Portsmouth, by Fr Tom Bakulumpagi
Harry Thomas Tracey
baptised on 4 September 2021 in St Ann's Church, HM Naval Base, Portsmouth, by Fr David Conroy
Thomas Leslie Carson
baptised on 4 September 2021 in Southwick Park Memorial Church, Southwick Park, Portsmouth, by Fr David Conroy
Dylan Graham Calligan and Teddy Alexander Smith
baptised on 29 August 2021 in Church of St George with St Gabriel, HMS Collingwood, Fareham, by Bishop Paul Mason
Albert Lawrence Ker and Florence Ita Lazenby Wright
baptised on 29 May 2021 in St John's Cathedral, Portsmouth, by Fr David Conroy
Arthur Thornhill
baptised on 22 May 2021 in St John's Cathedral, Portsmouth, by Fr David Conroy
CONFIRMATIONS
Welcome and congratulations to LET Zach Oakes-White RN who was baptised and Confirmed by Bishop Paul on 6 April 2022 at HMS Collingwood. Our picture shows Bishop Paul, Zach and Fr David Conroy on the Sanctuary of the Church of St Michael with St Gabriel.
May he be strengthened
by our prayers
for his new life in Christ.
MARRIAGES
Congratulations
Lt Michael Kilgallon RN and Miss Lucy Skyrme
who were married in St Ann's Church, HM Naval Base, Portsmouth,
on 25 September 2021 by Fr David Conroy
Chaplains
Principal Roman Catholic Chaplain
and Vicar Episcopal for the Royal Navy
The Very Reverend David Conroy QHC VE RN (Galloway)
Chaplains
Reverend Robert Matau RN (Westminster)
Reverend Victor Dakwan RN (Ogoja)
Reverend Thomas Bakulumpagi RN (Southwark)
Reverend Charles Miller RN (Birmingham)
Reverend Philip Carroll RN (Portsmouth)
Reverend Jude Okorie RN (Aba)
Reverend Rob Carey RN (Birmingham)
Reverend Daniel Hernandez RN (Gibraltar)
Officiating Chaplains to the Military (OCM)
Reverend Jean-Patrice Coulon
Reverend Deacon John Cumpsty
Reverend David Gamble
Reverend John Humphreys
Reverend Michael Maloney
Reverend Mgr Bartholomew Nannery
Reverend Deacon Philip Waites
Pastoral Assistant
Commander Ian Crabtree KSG RN (Rtd)
Naval Chaplaincy Service Headquarters
Very Reverend David Conroy QHC VE RN
Deputy Chaplain of the Fleet
NCS Headquarters,
Tanner Building, HMS Excellent,
Portsmouth, Hampshire
PO2 8ER
Surface Flotilla
Reverend Robert Matau RN
c/o HMNB Portsmouth Chaplaincy
Reverend Thomas Bakulumpagi RN
E. Thomas.Bakulumpagi100@mod.gov.uk
c/o HMNB Portsmouth Chaplaincy
Reverend Charles Miller RN
E. charles.miller982@mod.gov.uk
c/o HMNB Devonport Chaplaincy
HM Naval Base Clyde
Reverend Jude Okorie RN
OCM: Reverend Michael Maloney
E: Michael.Maloney102@mod.gov.uk
The Chaplaincy, HMS Neptune,
HMNB Clyde, Faslane, Helensburgh,
Argyll & Bute, Scotland
G84 8HL
T: 01436 674321 Ext 8266
HM Naval Base Devonport
OCM: Reverend Mgr Bartholomew Nannery
The Chaplaincy, Fisher Block,
HMS Drake, HMNB Devonport,
PL2 2BG
T: 01752 555931
HM Naval Base Portsmouth
OCM: Reverend John Humphreys
OCM: Reverend Deacon John Cumpsty
The Chaplaincy, Rodney Block,
HMS Nelson, Queen Street,
Portsmouth, Hampshire
PO1 3HH
T: 02392 723000
Britannia Royal Naval College
Care of the Principal Roman Catholic Chaplain, RN
The Chaplaincy, BRNC,
College Way, Dartmouth, Devon,
TQ6 0HJ
T: 01803 677021
Commando Logistics Regiment Royal Marines
OCM: Reverend Deacon Philip Waites
The Chaplaincy, CDO LOG REGT RM,
Chivenor, Barnstaple, Devon
EX31 4AZ
T: 01271 879344
Commando Training Centre Royal Marines
Reverend Philip Carroll RN
E: Philip.Carroll112@mod.gov.uk
The Chaplaincy, CTCRM,
Lympstone, Exmouth, Devon
EX8 5AR
T: 01392 414178
HMS Collingwood
Reverend Rob Carey RN
Commander Ian Crabtree KSG RN (rtd)
The Chaplaincy. HMS Collingwood,
Newgate Lane, Fareham, Hampshire
PO14 1AS
T: 01329 335277
HMS Eaglet
OCM: Reverend David Gamble
The Chaplaincy, HMS Eaglet,
RNHQ Merseyside,
East Brunswick Dock, Liverpool
L3 4DZ
T: 0151 929 2149
HMS Raleigh
Reverend Victor Dakwan RN
E: Victor.Dakwan100@mod.gov.uk
The Chaplaincy, HMS Raleigh,
Torpoint, Cornwall
PL11 2PD
T: 01752 811225
RN Air Station Yeovilton
OCM: Reverend Jean-Patrice Coulon
The Chaplaincy HMS Heron, RNAS Yeovilton,
Yeovil, Somerset
BA22 8HT
(Served from The Holy Ghost Church,
The Avenue, Yeovil, Somerset BA21 4AR)
T: 01935 423549
HQBF Gibraltar
Reverend Danny Hernandez RN
E: Daniel.Hernandez830@mod.gov.uk
Command Chaplain, The King’s Chapel,
Main Street, Gibraltar
BFPO 52
T: 00350 2005 5414