Women Chaplaincy
The Military Diocese seeks to attract women into Catholic chaplaincy, either as full time or part time (Reservists) across Navy, Army or Air Force. Only one Catholic woman, Jean Johns, over the period of 2009-2014, has served in Air Force chaplaincy. Today, women form a sizable percentage in the Chaplaincy cohort, both from Christian, Hindu and Jewish faith traditions. At present, the Military Diocese has two women preparing for ministry. Hopefully, this is the start of a steady stream of suitable women wo see the Defence chaplains as an extremely attractive and viable ministry serving both the Church and ADF.
The role of women in the church is vital, and certainly so within the ADF with an ever-increasing female representation in the Services. Female chaplains are highly sought and welcomed.
Within the Catholic community, the role of both women and men is evolving as we grow in the understanding of Christian baptism. All are called to live out their baptismal call, to acknowledge the church as their own and to contribute to its life in the world. This is a call to co-responsibility, greater than merely collaboration with clergy, but co-responsible discipleship, a vocation to contribute to the Church’s missionary impulse.