Become a Chaplain

The Military Diocese welcomes your interest in seeking information about Catholic Military Chaplaincy.

pursue a Vocation within a Vocation

 

Characteristics of Military Chaplaincy

 

Chaplain Nigel Porter standing next to another Naval Officer on deck of a Navy Ship

 

  • 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.

Catholic Chaplain Ministries

Chaplain Kevin O'Sullivan

 

Within Catholic Chaplaincy, there are both ordained and lay Chaplains, endorsed by the Bishop, to serve the spiritual, religious and pastoral needs of Defence members and families:  

 

  1. Priest Chaplains 
     
  2. Deacon Chaplains; married or single, and
     
  3. Lay Ministers (Pastoral Associate Chaplains), male and female.

 

My Path to Chaplaincy - Chaplain Kevin O'Sullivan

 

General Process for Service

Official Army Parade with ceremony flags attended by Military Chaplains (Catholic Chaplain Peter Devenish-Meares with purple sash)

Here is what you need:

 

  • Have a Bachelor of Theology/Ministry equivalent or higher.
     
  • Be an Australian citizen.
     
  • Be a Catholic minister – Priest, Deacon or Pastoral Lay Minister - with at least 2-5 years of pastoral experience.
     
  • For the Priest and Deacon, be formally released for service in the Military Diocese by his current church authority 
     
  • Be endorsed by the Catholic Military Ordinariate as suitable for ministry.
     
  • Maintain good health.

Chaplain Thi Lam on board a Navy vessel with an Army ChaplainBenefits of service as a Catholic Chaplain

Once you are in:

  • ADF Chaplaincy offers a challenging diverse and flexible ministry in a broad secular institutional setting. 
     
  • A good life balance.
     
  • A competitive salary package 
     
  • Medical and dental cover
     
  • Vocational/Career development and progression
     
  • Immersion in advanced technology
     
  • Housing assistance 
     
  • The ability to provide pastoral care support as part of a multi-faith team and multi-disciplined team. 

 

Please click on the logo of the service you're interested in for further information:

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Related topics
Kevin O'Sullivan

Become a Deacon Chaplain

For over 35 years the Military Diocese has been fortunate with15 permanent Deacons as Catholic Chaplains.

Owen Geddes Lay Associate in Army uniform - head shot

Become a Lay Pastoral Associate Chaplain

Within the Military Diocese, there is an opportunity for Catholic women and men, married or single, to be endorsed with a commission from the military bishop and appointed as ADF Chaplains.