Fr Paul Stuart Retiring from Royal Australian Navy Chaplaincy

After 21 years of unwavering dedication and commitment to duty, leadership and service to the Australian Defence Force, Chaplain Paul Stuart is leaving as a shining example of what it means to be a Navy Chaplain.

It is with great pride but with certain sadness that Senior Chaplain Paul Stuart RAN retires from ADF Chaplaincy upon reaching the compulsory retiring age this August.

Paul has served for 21 years in the Royal Australian Navy as chaplain. His record of service is both comprehensive and outstanding in terms of commitment.

Appointments, Australian Defence Force (ADF)

Commissioned into the Royal Australian Navy in 2005
Reserve Chaplain HMAS Cerberus 2005
Chaplain HMAS Manoora 2005
Chain 1 Recruit Training Battalion, Kapooka (Army) – on loan to the Army 2005-07
Chaplain HMAS Stirling, Western Australia 2008
Chaplain HMAS Warramunga 2008-10
Chaplain HMAS Creswell/Royal Australian Navy College 2010 -12
Chain HMAS Anzac 2012-13
Chaplain HMAS Cerberus – Rrecuit School 2013017
Chaplain HMAS Canberra 2018-19
Coordinating Chaplain- East Australia 2020
Coordinating RAN Chaplain – Middle East Region, (United Arab Emirates) 2021
Navy Fleet HQ - Command Chaplain 2022-2023
Command Chaplain Australian Defence College/War College 2024
Long Service leave - February – August 2025

Paul in a recent email to ADF colleagues described his retirement as sailing off into the sunset in HMAS Citizenship!

As with many of our chaplains over the years, Paul has served with distinction, serving countless members in uniform and being ‘alongside’ them as a constant presence, living his priestly ministry in uniform.

The comfort, the listening ear, the sage advice and his presence to those he has served has been outstanding. Likewise, his religious ministry of the celebration of Eucharist, opening up the Word of God and being an instrument of mercy and reconciliation has been accessible and profound.

Paul continues as a priest of the Military Diocese serving us and the many veterans who seek him out.

Thank you, Paul, for the life well spent, it will continue. out of uniform, with the same consistency and fervour as he clocks up 33 years of priestly ministry.