The Chaplain BRd 2

CHAPTER 16

THE CHAPLAIN

(MOD Sponsor: DGNCS)

CONTENTS

Para
J.1601. General
J.1602. Appointment and Status
1603. Duties of Chaplains
1604. Chaplains’ Assistants
1605. Chaplaincy Support Workers and Lay Workers
1606. Protection of Chaplains in War

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CHAPTER 16

THE CHAPLAIN

J.1601. General

1. Chaplains are commissioned by Her Majesty the Queen to provide for the spiritual and
pastoral well-being of Service personnel and their dependants. They are to be given every
assistance to fulfil their ministry. They are not to perform executive or operational duties
save those proper to their profession. When a commissioned Chaplain cannot be made
available, civilian clergy of the appropriate denomination may be appointed as Officiating
Chaplains. (See also Para J.7501.)

2. The Directorate General Naval Chaplaincy Service manages all matters relating to
chaplains and their (Naval) duties. The Board of Management Naval Chaplaincy Service
consists of the Chaplain of the Fleet as Director General Naval Chaplaincy Service, and
the two Principal Chaplains who are Director Naval Chaplaincy Service (Pastoral Provision
and Operations) and Director Naval Chaplaincy Service (Faith Development and
Education). All enquiries should be addressed to the Staff Chaplain DGNCS, Room 207a,
Victory Building, HM Naval Base, Portsmouth, PO1 3LS, telephone 023 9272 7903.

J.1602. Appointment and Status

1. Regulations concerning Chaplains are contained in BR 439, Royal Naval Chaplains’

Handbook.

2. Chaplains hold the Sovereign’s Commission but no Naval rank. The status of
Chaplains for purposes of pay and allowances is given in JSP 594, Naval Pay Regulations.

3. The Director General Naval Chaplaincy Service (DGNCS) is the senior Naval chaplain
and is accorded 2* status and bears the historic title of the Chaplain of the Fleet.

4. The Principal Anglican Chaplain (Naval) is granted the ecclesiastical dignity of

Archdeacon, under the Archbishop of Canterbury, while holding the office.

5. The Principal Roman Catholic Chaplain (Naval) is usually appointed Vicar General to
the Roman Catholic Bishop of the Forces, while holding the office.

6. Commissioned Chaplains are appointed to HM ships and establishments and to RM

units by the Director Naval Chaplaincy Service (Pastoral Provision and Operations) in
consultation with the other Principal Chaplains. Chaplains are under the authority of
DGNCS for their professional duties and their Principal Chaplain for ecclesiastical matters.

7. Chaplains have the right of direct access to their Principal Chaplain and to their
Commanding Officer.

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8. Chaplains have the status of Head of Department in their ship or establishment so that
at all times they may be informed of its administration and the needs of its personnel.

9. In spiritual and ecclesiastical matters Chaplains are under the normal discipline of
their appropriate Church authorities.

10. Commissioned Chaplains are subject to the normal discipline of the Service.

11. Commanding Officers are to ensure that Chaplains and Officiating Chaplains are at all
times treated with the respect due to their sacred office and that nothing shall interfere with
their being regarded as the ‘friend and adviser to all on board’.

12. When Chaplains serve in the same ship, unit or establishment they are to form an
integrated and co-ordinated team to ensure the effective use of personnel and resources.
A Chaplaincy Team Leader will be appointed by the DGNCS Board of Management to
facilitate and co-ordinate the work of the Chaplaincy (BR439).

1603. Duties of Chaplains

1. Detailed instructions to Chaplains for the performance of their duties are contained in
BR 439, Royal Naval Chaplains’ Handbook. Their duties are:

a. To conduct worship.

b. To administer the sacraments.

c. To preach and instruct in the faith.

d. To visit the sick and all in their care.

e. To further the life of the Christian Church.

f. To work together ecumenically, whilst retaining denominational integrity.

g. To co-operate with others in the caring professions and agencies.

h. To facilitate the religious and spiritual needs of all regardless of their faith
group.

2. Chaplains are to ensure that their conduct and way of life reflect their sacred calling.
They should at all times maintain the highest standard of professionalism, leadership and
personal example.

1604. Chaplains’ Assistants

1. Trained lay men and women of the Churches are employed by the Ministry of Defence
to assist the Chaplains in their duties. They are licensed by ecclesiastical authority, paid
according to recognized Civil Service grades, and granted the status of officers.

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1605. Chaplaincy Support Workers and Lay Workers

1. Chaplaincy Support Workers (CSWs) and Lay Workers (LWs) are employed by the
Royal Sailors’ Rests (RSR) and Methodist Church Forces’ Board (MCFB) respectively to
assist Commissioned Chaplains in their duties.

2. CSWs and LWs are responsible to the Chaplaincy Team Leader for their duties, to the
Commanding Officer for matters of discipline and to their employer for terms of their
employment.

1606. Protection of Chaplains in War

1. Chaplains are entitled to protection in war under the terms of the Geneva Convention
1949. Instructions concerning the issue of Red Cross armlets and identity certificates to
Chaplains are contained in Para 4751.

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