Bishopric of the Forces

The Roman Catholic Bishopric of the Forces provides Catholic chaplains to the Armed Forces.

The current Bishop of the Forces is the the Rt Rev Richard Moth. Bishop Moth was Ordained in Westminster Cathedral on 29 September 2009. Click for more.

The Bishopric of the Forces consists of Service personnel and their dependants, served by over 50 full time Chaplains and over 100 TA and Officiating Chaplains.

Differing from any other Diocese, the Bishopric of the Forces is not aligned along geographical boundaries but encompasses anywhere in the world that United Kingdom military personnel are serving or deployed.

The Bishop has three Vicars' General who are the Principal RC Chaplains to the three Services. The Services appoint them as Principal Chaplains and the Bishop as Vicar's General.

The three Vicar's General make up the Bishop's Episcopal Council.

Bishop of the Forces

Bishop Richard Moth, formerly Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Southwark, is the Catholic Bishop of the Forces succeeding Bishop Tom Burns (now Bishop of Menevia).

Richard Moth served for five years as a Territorial Army chaplain attached to 217 General Hospital RAMC (V).

Shortly after his Ordination, Bishop Moth outlined his initial aims:

"My first priority will be to meet with people – chaplains, service personnel and their families. I have to get to know a lot of people!.. A major focus of my work will be support for chaplains in their ministry. There is a need for more chaplains to serve in the Bishopric of the Forces and this is a matter that I shall be addressing, in conjunction with the Principal Chaplains. It is vital that our service personnel have every opportunity to meet with and have the services of Catholic Chaplains."

Visit the Bishop's page.

Click to read more about the Ordination..

Principal RAF Chaplain Rev Mgr (Wg Cdr) John Walsh VG RAF

In October 2002, Mgr Walsh was selected for commissioned service as a chaplain in the Royal Air Force. He began his military training at the Royal Air Force College at Cranwell in February 2003. His first assignment was to Royal Air Force Brize Norton. He was responsible, with the other chaplains, for the repatriation of the first war dead from Iraq and the comforting of their families.

In August 2005, Mgr Walsh was assigned to Royal Air Force Marham, the largest front line station in the Royal Air Force. From here he was detached to operational duty in the Gulf twice. His greatest responsibility during this assignment lay with the encouragement and support of families. In June 2007, he was assigned to the Royal Air Force College at Cranwell, the Academy of Officer training.

Appointed Principal Roman Catholic Chaplain (RAF) on 1st October 2007.

International Military Pilgrimage

Millions of people visit the Marian Shine of Lourdes in Southern France every year. 2008 was a special year for two reasons. Firstly, it marked the 150th anniversary of the apparitions when the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to Bernadette Soubirous. 14-year-old Bernadette witnessed 18 apparitions of the Virgin Mary in the French town from 11 February to 16 July, 1858.

Secondly, 2008 saw the 50th International Military Pilgrimage (IMP).

The IMP has grown from a gathering of French and German Catholics in the armed forces in 1958 to 25,000 forces personel from 35 different countries in 2008.

The 2008 International Military Pilgrimage took place between 22-26 May.

Audio

Bishop Tom Burns on the 50th International Military Pilgrimage to Lourdes (mp3)