Rahul Sharma (Editor)

Royal Navy Chaplaincy Service

Updated on
Edit
Like
Comment
Share on FacebookTweet on TwitterShare on LinkedInShare on Reddit
Royal Navy Chaplaincy Service

The Royal Navy Chaplaincy Service provides chaplains to the Royal Navy. The chaplains are commissioned by the Sovereign but do not hold military rank other than that of "Chaplain Royal Navy". They are usually addressed as Padre, Reverend or more informally Bish. Chaplains are recruited from a number of Christian denominations.

Contents

The senior chaplain in the Royal Navy is currently the Venerable Ian Wheatley QHC. Wheatley, an Anglican priest, is also the Archdeacon for the Royal Navy. He took over from the Reverend Scott Brown CBE who retired after 22 years service.

Training

Chaplains undergo training at Britannia Royal Naval College alongside other Royal Navy officer cadets. After completing the course they may opt to earn their "Dolphins" and serve in the Submarine Service or the green beret (upon completion of the All Arms Commando Course) and serve with the Royal Marines.

Chaplains of the Fleet

The role of Chaplain of the Fleet, being Head of the Naval Chaplains, was established on 13 May 1859, and was originally attached to the role of Senior Chaplain at Greenwich Hospital and was also the Inspector of Naval Schools. When an Anglican priest serves as the Chaplain of the Fleet (as was always the case until 1998), the chaplain is also the Archdeacon for the Royal Navy; otherwise, the archdiaconal title belongs to the slightly junior principal Anglican chaplain.

References

Royal Navy Chaplaincy Service Wikipedia
(Text) CC BY-SA