Characteristics of Military Chaplaincy
- Military Chaplaincy offers a flexible and creative ministry of presence, a ministry without borders, witnessing to Christ's love within a dynamic and diverse military community.
- Military Chaplains are part of the Defence Community by identifying with military personnel, becoming one of them, wearing the uniform and sharing in their service and sacrifice.
- Military Chaplains go wherever your people (all Defence members) go, accepting the same conditions of service, walking beside them, whether they be Catholic, belonging to another Christian denomination or faith group or with those without any sense of faith.
- The natural habitat of the Catholic chaplain is in the field among people, taking on the ‘smell of the sheep.’
- A military chaplaincy ministry is centered on the sacred, witnessing to Christ and his mission, providing the best of pastoral care and support to all Defence members and their families.
- To be effective, a military chaplain needs to practice a routine of prayer as well as giving attention to ongoing formation and needs: human, intellectual, pastoral and spiritual.